KOTA KINABALU: Despite a looming legal challenge, the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government is ready to set its plans in motion to serve the people and deliver its promises.
With Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the helm of the state administration as Chief Minister, his team of 39 assemblymen and four nominated assemblymen were sworn in during a Special State Legislative Assembly sitting here.
Shafie said the special sitting was necessary to swear in all elected and nominated representatives.
After the sitting was adjourned by Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali, Shafie said the proceedings were done according to the state constitution and was in accordance with the standing orders of the State Legislative Assembly.
Shafie said all 60 assemblymen were informed to attend the sitting so that they could be sworn in, adding it was an important event for the elected representatives to declare and endorse their election into office within three months.
The 43 assemblymen sworn in includes four nominated assemblymen and six former Umno members who declared their support for Warisan.
A total of 21 assemblymen from Umno, PBS, PBRS and Star boycotted the sitting, claiming it was unlawful.
Former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman have also initiated legal action to declare Shafie’s appointment null and void as well as instruct his lawyers to look into the possibility of declaring the sitting unlawful.
The four nominated assemblymen are Upko acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Dap chief Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, Warisan secretary general Loretto Padua and treasurer general Terrence Siambun
The six former Umno representatives are Datuk Hamisa Samat (Tanjung Batu), Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik), Jamawi Jaafar (Kemabong), Datuk Osman Jamal (Balung), Datuk Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas) and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut).
On the former Umno members, Shafie said they are in the process of becoming Warisan members or other parties in the Warisan-led alliance with Pakatan Harapan and Upko.
“They have declared their support to the government and I am confident they will continue supporting us,” he said.
On a court decision to throw out an injunction application to stop the sitting by the opposition, Shafie said it was the right thing to do.
“There is a clear distinction between the judiciary and the legislative assembly.”
Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew said the 21 absent assemblymen should be more responsible towards the people who elected them as their representatives.
“Election is over and they should stop all this politicking by changing their mentality. They cannot always be in government.” — Reports by Mohd Izham Unnip Abdullah, Olivia Miwil and Fardy Bungga