Sabah State Assembly endorses Mohd Shafie as Chief Minister

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly today passed a vote of confidence on Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, endorsing him as Sabah's new Chief Minister.
It was a unanimous approval by 43 members including four nominated assemblymen present.
The confidence motion on Mohd Shafie was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew, who is also state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister in a special sitting today.
It was seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, who is also state Local Government and Housing Minister.
In tabling the motion, Christina said the state government led by Warisan had the backing of 37 assemblymen following the decision by a number of Upko and Umno representatives to switch their support to Mohd Shafie.
Four assemblymen Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang), Datuk Masiung Banah (Kuamut) and Jamawi Jaafar (Kemabong) debated the motion before Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali announced the outcome.
"Congratulations to Yang di-Pertua Negri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin for carrying out his responsibility in all fairness, in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Sabah Constitution, to swear in Mohd Shafie as Sabah Chief Minister on May 12, 2018," Christina said.
She called on Sabah's assemblymen to support Mohd Shafie who had obtained the majority vote and mandate to lead the state government.
It was unfair to the people in Sabah, she said, if polemics against the state leadership were allowed to persist and unsettle the state government.
"The voice of the people who desire change should be respected. Chief Minister Mohd Shafie had obtained a clear and strong mandate from the people. In return he will surely endeavour to serve the people to the best of his ability," she said.
She said Mohd Shafie's appointment as chief minister was appropriate considering his vast experience in politics and in the government including as a federal minister for nine years. — Bernama