Hajiji: No Cabinet expansion now

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state Cabinet will not be expanded any time soon to create positions for local Opposition parties although they are now part of the unity government at federal level.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said expanding the 11-member state Cabinet would require amendments to the state constitution.

“For now, we have not decided. We will think about it and see if there is a need,” Hajiji told reporters when asked about talk that the state was considering including the Opposition in the Cabinet.

Pakatan Harapan, which is in the state Opposition with seven assemblymen, leads the Federal Government while Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leads the state government.

There has been talk that Pakatan assemblymen could possibly be made ministers in an expanded state Cabinet.

Following the formation of the federal unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, some Sabah Pakatan leaders have thrown their support behind Hajiji as Chief Minister.

However, Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has not indicated its stand.

Warisan, which has 19 assemblymen in the 79-member state assembly, is also part of the unity government at the federal level.

Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, a GRS member, has already reported to have been against any plans to expand the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Hajiji took to task “little kings” in local governments and warned them he would not tolerate inaction or any delay in implementing projects to meet the needs of the people.

The Chief Minister said he had received reports of district officers or municipal council chiefs who did nothing to resolve problems in their areas.

“The role of district officers is important but don’t try to be too smart. I will watch you closely. I have received reports that some of you think you are ‘raja or sultan’.

“If these reports are true and factual, we will act against you,” he said at a strategic partnership meeting between the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority and local authorities.