Warisan nominated 6 for federal cabinet consideration: Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Warisan submitted the names of six Sabah members of parliament for consideration by the federal government in its cabinet as ministers or deputy ministers.
Its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is also Sabah's new Chief Minister said the nominees possessed the qualification and capability to assist in the administration of the country.
"We submitted six names from Warisan, namely, Penampang MP Ignatius Darell Leiking, who is also Warisan deputy president, Batu Sapi MP Datuk V. K. Liew, Papar MP Ahmad Hassan and Silam MP Mohammad Din Ketapi.
"Their names have been sent; nevertheless, I will go to Kuala Lumpur and meet with those who would be able to decide, particularly Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad," he told reporters here today.
Mohd Shafie said he had also requested Sabah PKR and DAP to make their respective recommendations to the federal leadership.
On Sabah's new cabinet that was sworn in today, he described the lineup as capable and competent.
"Today we executed the process of swearing in of cabinet ministers and assistant ministers, which had been smooth and in accordance with the law and constitution," he said.
Ten assemblymen including two who were nominated took their oath of office as state ministers and 18 others, as assistant ministers before Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Negri here.
"At the ceremony today, we appointed two nominated assemblymen: UPKO acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau who is also Tuaran member of parliament, as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry.
"Also, Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong who is Sandakan member of parliament, as Infrastructure Development Minister. Their appointments are justified. For instance, Madius was appointed to represent UPKO and the Kadazandusun and Murut community."
Mohd Shafie said the names of four other nominated assemblymen would be announced soon.
"The ministers and assistant ministers who were appointed represented ethnic groups that are in Sabah and I have also appointed the succeeding lineup," he said.
He said three new state ministries had also been created, namely, Education and Innovation; Native Legal Affairs; and Health and People's Wellbeing.
"These were created with strong justification. For example, we set up the Native Legal Affairs Ministry because of several ethnic and religion-related issues. So we have put someone who is fully qualified to lead the ministry," he said. — Bernama