KOTA KINABALU: Newly sworn in Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said his appointment was in accordance with the laws and the state constitution.
Shafie said Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin was satisfied that Parti Warisan Sabah managed to obtain a simple majority.
“We have sent the letter to the TYT (Tun Juhar Mahiruddin), which contained the declaration from the state assemblymen who supported me and he had met them without my presence.
“Based on TYT’s confidence that the number is adequate, this morning Tun Juhar had commanded Musa (Tan Sri Musa Aman) and (advised) him to tender (his) resignation,” he said during press conference at his residence here.
Shafie added there was no necessity to call for a state assembly right now to end the ‘two Chief Ministers’ situation as his appointment is legitimate.
“He (Musa) will not last long as Chief Minister, one of the ways is to bring this issue to the court, as what can be seen in Perak (in 2000),” he added.
Following his appointment, Shafie who is also Semporna Member of Parliament and Senallang assemblyman, said the cabinet line-up will be announced soon.
He also did not deny the possibility of appointing six assemblymen to strengthen the state administrative.
“Whatever we had said and as promised in the (election) campaigns, our elected representatives will not become the chairman to statutory bodies and government-linked companies (GLC) so they will focus on their services to the people.
“There are 61 GLCs in Sabah that will be administered by people who we can trust and shoulder the responsibility well and effectively,” he added.
As of now Sabah is facing a political crisis whereby Musa who is Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman and who was earlier sworn in as Chief Minister on Thursday, is not stepping down from the post.
He even chaired the first state cabinet meeting earlier on Saturday afternoon at the state administrative building here.