By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s newly formed unity State Cabinet is committed to working closely to drive prosperity and progress over the next five years, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“We are well-equipped to deliver on this, leveraging the robust development and progress carried out in the last five years.
“We are ready to roll out our holistic, inclusive and comprehensive Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development plan in 2026,” he said after chairing the first State Cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu yesterday.
He stressed the need to strengthen the State Government to ensure sustained political stability and uninterrupted progress.
He said the success of the past five years of dedicated efforts to establish stability and foster a conducive environment for development.
“With this new administration, my Cabinet members and I will reinforce our commitment to maintaining stability and championing a political agenda centred on unity and development,” he added.
Hajiji pledged: I am Chief Minister for all, serving all Sabahans fairly, without prejudice to their background, race, or religion”.
The Chief Minister also announced the portfolio of the 17 Assistant Ministers, sworn in on Tuesday.
Hajiji named Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (GRS), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih (GRS) and Datuk Mandela Malakun (GRS) as Assistant Ministers in the Chief Minister’s Department.
Under the Works and Utility Ministry, the Assistant Ministers are Datuk Limus Jury (GRS) and Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah (GRS), while the Assistant Finance Ministers are Datuk Ben Chong (GRS) and Datuk Ishak Ayub (STAR).
Datuk Jonnybone Kurum (GRS) is Assistant Industrial, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, while two independent assemblymen Datuk Fairuz Renddan and Datuk Maijol Mahap were made Assistant Ministers for the Local Government and Housing Ministry.
Datuk Haji Ruslan Muharam and Datuk Hendrus Anding were appointed to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry while Datuk Samad Jambri and Datuk Juil Nuatim to the Rural Development Rural Development Ministry. GRS’s Dr Andi Rizal was appointed to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry. All five are GRS members.
Independents Jordan Jude Ellron and Datuk Rina Jainal went to the Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Women, Health and People’s Well-being Ministry, respectively.
Hajiji (seated sixth from right), with the new State Cabinet line-up. Also in the picture is State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong (left).
