SHAFIE Apdal today won the support of 43 newly sworn-in assemblymen, who gave their vote of confidence towards the Parti Warisan Sabah president as Sabah chief minister.

The Senallang assemblyman cum Semporna MP won the vote despite the absence of 21 assemblymen from Barisan Nasional, PBS, PBRS and Sabah Star, who boycotted the special sitting on grounds it was illegal and did not follow procedures.

The absent include the Sibuga assemblyman Musa Aman, who has gone missing since May 14.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum Api-Api assemblyman Christina Liew mooted the motion of confidence which was one of the two main agendas in today’s sitting.

In her address, she refuted the assembly sitting as “illegal” as claimed by Sabah Umno treasurer Hajiji Hj Noor and Sabah Star president Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, adding that the assembly today received the consent of the head of state Juhar Mahiruddin.

She also hit out at Sabah BN chairman Musa and the other absent assemblymen, stating they lacked the courage to dispute the legality of the sitting and the government in the house.

“If they are so determined in disputing the legality of this sitting, then they should come personally to voice their protest instead of hiding behind hastily issued press releases and resorting to highly publicised legal recourse.

“There is no better place than this august house to prove his legitimacy as the government, as widely claimed by the Sungai Sibuga assemblyman (Musa)?”

Liew said Musa should not be running away and issuing press statements from a foreign country if he truly believes in the democratic process.

Her motion was seconded by the Sulabayan assemblyman.

There are 60 state assembly seats in Sabah, but the appointment of the additional four assemblymen provides Shafie a comfortable majority of 43 seats against rival Musa with 21 assemblymen. – June 11, 2018.