Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the new Sabah unity government, formed with BN and Independents, is essential for the state’s political stability and development.
KOTA KINABALU: Cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah in forming the new Sabah government is driven by the need for political stability.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the goal is to ensure the state’s continued development and prosperity.
He said the formation reflects the political reality that circumstances have changed since the state election.
“Cabinet appointments are fully the prerogative of the Chief Minister with the consent of the Sabah Governor,” he told reporters in Cyberjaya.
He noted that GRS alone, with 29 seats, does not have enough to form a government, while BN holds six seats.
“Although BN and GRS did not contest the election together, the post-election landscape has shifted,” he said.
“In Putrajaya, we have a Unity Government. In that same spirit, BN and GRS agreed to form a unity government in Sabah.”
He said this includes five Independent assemblymen originally from GRS and other parties.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also BN chairman, was responding to reports that 12 GRS assemblymen were unhappy with the decision to include Sabah BN.
He cautioned against arrogance in assessing political decisions, stressing cooperation is essential for stable governance.
“Appointments have been made. This is a political reality,” he said.
“Do not allow arrogance to cloud judgment, because politics is pragmatic, and we must accept that stability is vital.”
In the election, GRS won 29 of the 73 seats, followed by Parti Warisan with 25.
Barisan Nasional secured six seats, while Independents won five.
UPKO won three seats, STAR secured two, and Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat and Pakatan Harapan each won one.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was sworn in early Sunday morning.
On Monday, 10 assemblymen were sworn in as members of the state Cabinet before the Governor.
The new Sabah Cabinet comprises seven GRS assemblymen and one each from UPKO, PH and BN.
