Bung: Hajiji's new Cabinet appointments goes against Umno and PM

KOTA KINABALU: Two new appointments into the Sabah Cabinet by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor have not been recognised by Sabah Umno. Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the decision was seen to have gone against the party and those appointed represented themselves for personal gain, without considerations for the party's future. "These new Cabinet appointments involving two Umno assemblymen does not represent the party and we will not provide any recognition for that. Chief Minister Hajiji also should not mention or recognise them as representatives of Umno in his Cabinet," said Bung Moktar. Bug Moktar, who is also Lamag assemblyman, said so in a statement in response to Hajiji's reshuffled Cabinet announced today, which also sees the Sabah Umno chairman dropped as Deputy Chief Minister. Umno's Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat) has been appointed Chief Minister III as well as Works Minister, a portfolio also previously held by Bung Moktar, while Datuk James Ratib (Sugut) has been apointed Community Development and Wellbeing Minister. The pair, along with three other Umno assemblymen had opted not to join Bung Moktar's move to withdraw support for Hajiji as Chief Minister. Bung Moktar added that he was considering bringing the case to the Umno disciplinary board as the members had gone against the decisions of Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional. "We will discuss the matter with the president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before proceeding with further action," said Bung Moktar, adding that Hajiji's formation of a new Cabinet has also gone against the wishes of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had proposed the formation of a unity government comprising parties that form the Federal government. "The Chief Minister seems to have totally ignored the Prime Minister's call for a unity government to be formed in Sabah and should be reminded that BN contributes to the formation of the unity government at federal level. I also hope the Chief Minister is fair to his friends in the Cabinet and does not directly interfere in the administration of the respective ministries. "Do not just look at self-gain while the people are neglected. Bring the changes that the people of Sabah are expecting. Sabah Umno is ready to act as an opposition and we are ready to play our role effectively," said Bung Moktar.