KOTA KINABALU: Despite not being appointed into the new state Cabinet, Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon says he bears no ill feelings.
He acknowledged that the appointment of state ministers was the prerogative of the Chief Minister and as members of the state assembly, they had to abide by his decision.
“These are the things we need to work with, aren’t they?” he said when asked if he felt disappointed at not being appointed state minister.
Sabah DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe, who was appointed as Industrial Development Minister, said his party colleague would face new challenges and be busy in his new role.
Poon previously served as Sabah People’s Health and Wellbeing minister during the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan state government. Poon added that he was informed that he would be leading a state government-linked company and a letter of appointment would be issued soon.
When contacted, Phoong said he wished to look at what his new role entailed before commenting on his appointment. The duo were among seven Sabah Pakatan assemblymen who backed Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor after Sabah Barisan Nasional pulled out from the previous GRS-Barisan coalition government.
The others are Datuk Christina Liew (PKR-Api Api), Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko-Kadamaian), Jannie Lasimbang (DAP-Kapayan), Tan Lee Fatt (DAP-Likas) and Peto Galim (PKR-Inanam).
Their support allowed Hajiji to remain as Sabah Chief Minister.
