"Special Sitting Necessary"

By Mohd Izham Unnip Abdullah; Olivia Miwil; Fardy Bungga @ June 12, 2018

KOTA KINABALU: THE special state legislative assembly sitting is necessary for elected and nominated representatives, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal yesterday.

"The proceedings were carried out according to the state constitution and in accordance with the standing orders of the state legislative assembly," he said after the sitting was adjourned by Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali.


Shafie said all 60 assemblymen were informed to attend the sitting so that they could be sworn in.

It was an important event to endorse their election into office within three months, he added.

Forty-three assemblymen were sworn in, including four nominated assemblymen and six former Umno members, who had declared their support for Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) led by Shafie.


The four nominated assemblymen were United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah DAP chief Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua and treasurer general Terrence Siambun.


The six former Umno representatives were Datuk Hamisa Samat (Tanjung Batu), Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik), Jamawi Jaafar (Kemabong), Datuk Osman Jamal (Balung), Datuk Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas) and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut).


On the former Umno members, Shafie said they were in the process of becoming Warisan members or other parties in the Warisan-led alliance with Pakatan Harapan and Upko.


"They have declared their support to the government and I am confident they will continue supporting us."


On the court decision to dismiss an injunction application by the opposition to stop the sitting, Shafie said it was the right thing to do.


"There is a clear distinction between the judiciary and the legislative assembly."