KUALA LUMPUR: The new Sabah cabinet lineup is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's unity government formula to resolve the political impasse in Sabah, said a political expert.
Political economist Dr Firdausi Suffian said the new administration had the features of a unity government, with appointments from Pakatan Harapan, Umno and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
"Yes, you can consider this a unity government. This is also the formula that Anwar proposed to (Sabah Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"Anwar can only suggest, but any decision (on who to include in the cabinet) is based on Hajiji's wisdom.
"He (Hajiji) used whatever formula that was given to him to ensure that there is inclusivity from all the parties that supported him," he told the New Straits Times.
The analyst from Universiti Teknologi Mara said the drama, however, was still far from over.
He said Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar, who was dropped as deputy chief minister, might still have some cards to play.
Bung had earlier said that the state Umno did not propose the names of its two assemblymen to be appointed as members of the Hajiji-led cabinet, adding that Hajiji cannot claim to appoint them to represent Umno Barisan Nasional unless they were appointed on a personal capacity.
The two are Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya who was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister III and Works Minister; and Sugut assemblyman Datuk James Ratib who was appointed as Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister.
To put an end to the debacle, Hajiji must quickly set up his own political party, Firdausi said.
"This is very important. He needs to set up his political party first to ensure stability.
"Even if the five Umno assemblymen who supported Hajiji get sacked from Umno, they will have a place to go," he added.
Apart from Shahelmey and Ratib, other Umno state representatives who threw their support for Hajiji include Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).
At the Umno General Assembly, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said they had yet to decide on the fate of the five individuals.
Ahmad commented briefly on the matter, but stopped short of elaborating on any plans to deliberate their fates.
"We have yet to make any decision on what to do with them," he said.
Other Umno big guns who were spotted at the World Trade Centre to attend a special briefing by president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in conjunction also shied away from giving comments on the political developments in Sabah.
Its vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said he would wait for the explanation from the party president on the matter.
"Let us listen to the president first since we do not know what the ramifications will be.
"As of now, we have only learned about a view (one side of the story) on what happened in Sabah.
"And it (the political mess in Sabah) all happened too fast. I, myself, would like to listen to what the president has to say," said Khaled.
Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil also refused to comment when asked if the new Sabah cabinet lineup was a unity government or otherwise.
"I reserve my comments. I want to focus on this thing (Umno general assembly) first," he said.
Former Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, too, kept mum when pressed on the matter.
"How am I supposed to know since it involves Sabah and I am in Selangor. I do not want to comment (because) I am the state liaison committee chairman for Selangor," he said.