KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor led the swearing-in of Sabah assemblymen during a ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly building here on Thursday (Dec 11).
Sulaman assemblyman Hajiji was among 78 elected representatives who took their oaths of office before State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya in the ceremony, which started at 10am.
Hajiji was followed by three deputy chief ministers: Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam (Kundasang), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan) and Datuk Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian).
There are a total of 79 state seats, including six nominated assemblymen, but Lamag has been left vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on Dec 5.
Others who took their oaths included state Cabinet members: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut); Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib (Sugut); and Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong);
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar (Melalap); Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (Sukau); Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas); and Women, Health and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Mojungki (Matunggong).
Opposition Leader and Senallang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal of Parti Warisan was also sworn in alongside the other assembly members, including those from Sabah STAR and Perikatan Nasional.
Apart from that, the assembly saw six appointed assemblymen – Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi, Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, Datuk Abdul Kassim Razali, Datuk Roger Chin, Datuk Chin Shu Ying and Grace Lee Li Mei – taking their oaths.
Sabah concluded its 17th state election on Nov 29, with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) winning 29 seats, Warisan 25, Barisan Nasional six, Upko three, Sabah STAR two, and Pakatan Harapan, Parti KDM and PAS (Perikatan) one each.
Five Independents also emerged victorious.
