KOTA KINABALU: It's official, the 15th Sabah state assembly has been dissolved effective today.
According to official gazette issued by state secretary Datuk Safar Untong, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin has stated that Clause 2, Article 21 of the State Constitution provides him the authority to dissolve state assembly.
"Therefore, by exercising the powers given to me ... I hereby declare that the 15th Sabah State Assembly shall be dissolved on July 30, 2020.
"Declared with my signature and the Great Seal of the State Government in Kota Kinabalu on July 30, 2020," said Juhar in the official gazette.
This morning, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal had said that he had presented the Yang di-Pertua Negeri with consent letter to dissolve the state assembly.
This came after several elected representatives from Parti Warisan Sabah-PH-Upko pact crossed over to support Sungai Sibuga assemblyman Tan Sri Musa Aman as the new state executive chief.
It was a move to topple Shafie-led state government, with Musa claiming he had obtained simple majority to take over the state administration.
It was learnt that Musa's group had tried to seek audience with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri shortly after Shafie had a meeting with the head of state but failed.
At a press conference, Musa said he had obtained 33 statutory declarations, which were handed over to Istana Negeri through his lawyers.
Musa had urged the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to reconsider decision to dissolve state assembly to pave way for snap election, noting it was not necessary as they already had the majority support while also expressing concern over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the dissolution of the unicameral chamber, the 16th state election must be held in the next 60 days.
The Sabah state assembly which now has 65 state seats, with 60 being elected and another five appointed, will be increased to 78 seats, with 73 being contested in the next state polls and the remainder five being appointed.