KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the swapping of two portfolios hours after he was sworn in at Istana Negeri.
During his inaugural speech at the Sabah Administrative Centre here, Hajiji said his deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin will be the state Public Works minister which the latter switched with Sabah PPBM deputy chief Datuk Masidi Manjun.
Masidi will be taking charge of the Local Government and Housing ministry, as well as be the second Finance Minister.
When asked on the decision, Hajiji said the cabinet ministers made the changes after considering certain additional work.
"There was no problem. Masidi is experienced in finance and I need him to assist in the state's economic recovery, which is not so good for now.
"The main challenge for this government is to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and its implications," he told a press conference.
Present were Bung, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Masidi and several assemblymen.
Apart from Bung, another two made as deputy Chief Ministers are Jeffrey and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Jeffrey will also be the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister while Joachim will look after the Trade and Industry Ministry.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim has been appointed as the Rural Development minister.
On the issue of appointing Chinese representatives in the cabinet and possibly among six nominated assemblymen, Hajiji said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah will be consulted about it.
As for the remaining five ministers and assistant ministers in the cabinet, the Sulaman assemblyman said they would be announced and sworn in soon.
Earlier, Hajiji thanked the Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin for appointing him to execute the duties as the Chief Minister.
"This appointment is to fulfil the mandate given to the people to form a new government.
"I would like to extend my highest gratitude to all who exercised their rights and responsibilities in the democratic process to enable the formation of a new government with a clear mandate," he said.
Hajiji also pledged to give his full service to the people of Sabah regardless of their backgrounds and political affiliations.