Cabinet reshuffle should calm political turmoil - Shahelmey
ASYIKIN ASMIN11 Jan 2023 03:09pm
Newly appointed Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahaya leaves the Istana Seri Kinabalu after being sworn in today.
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"The Umno delegates here are Umno assemblymen and since I am involved in a new portfolio, I need to focus on that," said Shahelmey, when asked whether he would be attending the Umno general assembly which begins in Kuala Lumpur today.
"God willing, this should calm the situation and we can focus on work in the remaining two years before the time is up," he added, speaking to the press after the swearing in ceremony for new Cabinet ministers at the Istana Seri Kinabalu here today.
Shahelmy, who is among the assemblymen affected by the Cabinet reshuffle by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, reiterated that he was still an Umno member and had not received any information beyond that from the party leadership.
"The appointments and swearing in of Datuk James Ratib (Sugut assemblyman), Datuk Christina Liew (Api-Api) dan Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang) under new portfolios, as well as a Cabinet reshuffle that involves myself all went smoothly," said Shahelmey.
"This is among the formulas of the unity government and with the Cabinet reshuffle announced, it includes three new faces, two from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and one from Barisan Nasional (BN). For sure, Warisan and another group are against Hajiji as the Chief Minister. On that, we have agreed and we will not accept them. So, they have to accept the cooling off period and act as an effective opposition.
"We should focus on developing Sabah together first and when the time comes and the term ends, then we shall look at gaining the mandate from the people," said Shahelmey.
On his new portfolio as Works Minister, Shahelmey said there were many issues that needed to be resolved, particularly those involving road works and water supply.
"I have moved from the Community Development and Wellbeing Ministry to the Works Ministry and as Deputy Chief Minister III. It is a big responsibility since this is a big ministry and as we know, there are many issues that need to be resolved. I will be briefed by the ministry in the morning and we will get moving from there," said Shahelmey.
