MOHD Shafie Apdal has claimed that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor backtracked on a promise made to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the leadership controversy continued after the formation of a new cabinet. 

The Warisan president and opposition leader said the new state cabinet does not reflect a unity government as agreed with Anwar. 

“The swearing-in ceremony of Sabah’s new cabinet members took place even though it does not reflect a unity government,” Shafie said in a statement today.

“Hajiji Noor’s action to turn his back on the prime minister’s recommendations has violated the agreement and consensus that has been reached.”

Shafie, a former chief minister during the Pakatan Harapan administration, called for a special committee to be established immediately, as suggested by Anwar, to detail the form of cooperation between political parties in the state in an effort to achieve political stability. 

He said Warisan on January 9 had agreed with Anwar’s proposal regarding the formation of the unity government, which was also accepted by Umno and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat. 

Yesterday, Sabah Umno chairman Bung Moktar Radin said Umno does not recognise the appointment of two of its members to Hajiji’s cabinet. 

He said the members who have accepted the positions are perceived as having turned their backs on the party. – January 12, 2023.