AN online petition started yesterday has called on Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal to appoint a finance minister instead of holding the post himself.

The petition on www.change.org, created by Y.K. Wong, has garnered 2,095 signatures as at 11am with the goal of 2,500 signatures.

The petition follows concerns that the chief minister will have too much power in the state.

Shafie’s move to take the state finance portfolio has drawn criticism since the Sabah cabinet was formed on May 16.

His Parti Warisan Sabah, however, does not have the same manifesto as the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which stated as one its election promises that the prime minister should not take on additional cabinet posts, especially finance.

Shafie, an economist, has said he would be careful to avoid conflict of interests and would also not be directly involved in approving projects as the state would have a new body to vet and approve contracts and policies. – May 18, 2018.