Sabah: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed confidence that his newly-appointed Cabinet would be capable of driving the state's development through the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development plan. He also congratulated all new ministers and reminded them of their duties as it was a huge responsibility in carrying on the state's development agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji addressed the newly-appointed ministers, emphasizing the significance of their roles and urging them to serve the people of Sabah with dedication and integrity. He expressed his belief that the experience and abilities of the Cabinet members would lead their respective ministries towards improved development and progress for Sabah while ensuring the continuity of planned development programs.
Deputy Chief Minister 1, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, read Hajiji's statement at the Chief Minister's official residence in Sri Gaya. Joachim, who is also acting president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), confirmed the formation of a Unity Government in Sabah. He stated that Barisan Nasional (BN) is officially involved, while Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has not yet confirmed its participation.
A total of 10 Sabah Cabinet members took their oath of office in front of Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu. The ministers sworn in include seven assemblymen from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and one assemblyman each from United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
In the recent 17th Sabah state election, GRS, led by Hajiji, secured 29 seats, ahead of Warisan's 25 seats. BN won six seats, Independents secured five, Pakatan Harapan one, Perikatan Nasional one, UPKO three, STAR two, and KDM one.
The new Sabah State Cabinet includes Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I and Public Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam (GRS), Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (GRS), and Deputy Chief Minister III and Industries, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick (UPKO). Other ministers include Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (GRS) as Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar (PH) as Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Rubin Balang (GRS) as Rural Development Minister, Datuk James Ratib (GRS) as Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Jafry Ariffin (BN) as Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Julita Mojungki (GRS) as Women, Health and People's Well-Being Minister, and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (GRS) as Youth and Sports Development and Creative Economy Minister.