Shafie Apdal has submitted names of potential ministers to Dr M

Shafie spoke at a buka puasa event with Sabahan university students at Setia City Convention Center, near Klang. - KK SHAM/The Star

KLANG: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has submitted names of potential Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"It depends on the Prime Minister now, but in view of some of the financial constraints that we have, I am sure he is mindful that there should be some representation from Sabah," said Shafie, who is Parti Warisan Sabah president.

Shafie spoke to reporters at a breaking of fast event with Sabahan university students, organised by Sabah Foundation at the Setia City Convention Center near here Thursday night (June 7).

Declining to divulge names, Shafie said those who made it into the list were the "most qualified" to hold the ministerial positions.

On another matter, Shafie said the Sabah state government will continue to pursue its demands of seeking 20 percent royalty from Petronas for petroleum extracted from the state's waters.

"It is very clear what we spelt out in our party's manifesto.

"We have demanded 20 percent and we will pursue that," he said.

Currently Sabah receives only a five-percent oil royalty from the Federal Government.