New Sabah CM Shafie starts work
KOTA KINABALU, May 14 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal arrived at the Sabah State Administrative Centre (PPNS) here to begin work as the new Chief Minister of Sabah.
Mohd Shafie, 60, clocked in at 10.51 am and was greeted by UPKO acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau as well as two UPKO assemblymen, Ewon Benedict (Kadamaian) and Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan).
Several BN assemblymen who are said to have crossed over to Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) such as Tanjong Batu assemblyman Datuk Hamisa Samat; Sebatik assemblyman Datuk Abdul Muis Picho and Kemabong assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar were also present.
The new chief minister was also greeted upon arrival by Sabah State Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
PPNS houses the Sabah chief minister's office and was closely guarded by security personnel.
Mohd Shafie, who is Warisan president, officially took his oath of office, at the Istana Negeri here last Saturday.
In the 14th general election (GE14) last Wednesday, Warisan won 21 state seats while its Pakatan Harapan (PH) allies, DAP garnered six seats and PKR two seats.
However the number of state seats obtained by Warisan and its political allies, numbering 29 seats, did not have a simple majority to enable the coalition to form the state government.
Warisan was able to form the government based on a simple majority of 35 seats after six BN assemblymen crossed over to Warisan later.
-- BERNAMA
