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KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor says that his main goal as Chief Minister will be to overcome the economic challenges facing Sabah.
“I have taken over the reins of the state at unusual times, as we face serious economic problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our aim is to overcome these problems,” he told a press conference in his office after Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin was sworn in as Sabah’s 16th Chief Minister in Istana Negeri yesterday.
Hajiji, 65, who appointed six of the 11 ministers from his coalition partners Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said he was confident that members of his cabinet were equipped to help him solve the problems people face.
“We are working as a team to manage and take care of the state and its people,” he added.
Thanking the governor, Hajiji said that GRS won the state elections with a clear mandate from the people.
He vowed to serve all Sabahans regardless of their political background or leanings.
“This is a huge and challenging responsibility. I urge everyone to come together and work for the interests of Sabah, ”he said.
“My goal is to take Sabah to greater heights.”
He said that with Covid-19 cases increasing in Sabah, the first order of business would be to curb its spread.
Meanwhile, Hajiji is expected to walk a tightrope in deciding the cabinet portfolios among GRS.
Just two hours after
Upon taking possession of the six state ministers, Hajiji revealed that Sabah Umno President Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin was the state Infrastructure Development Minister, after appointing Sabah Bersatu Vice President Datuk Masidi Manjun to the portfolio. .
He said Masidi would take over the Housing and Local Government portfolio that was initially assigned to Bung, who was also named one of the three deputy ministers.
The Chief Minister did not say whether he would maintain the state finance portfolio, but revealed that he would help as state finance minister II.
He said Masidi, who has extensive experience in government as a state cabinet minister, would be in charge of the state’s economic recovery due to the pandemic.
“Masidi will help me with finances, mainly in the state economy and in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
In addition to Bung, the other two Deputy Prime Ministers are Sabah STAR President Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the state Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, and PBS Vice President Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, who is assuming the role of State portfolio of Industrial Development.
Hajiji, who also appointed PBS Secretary General Datuk Jahid Jahim, Minister of Rural Development, said the remaining five portfolios would be filled soon.
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