KOTA KINABALU, May 16 — New Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal appointed Upko acting president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Pakatan Harapan chief Christina Liew and Parti Warisan Sabah’s Datuk Jaujan Sambakong as his deputies today.
Shafie will hold the Finance Ministry portfolio.
Tangau will hold the Trade and Industry Ministry portfolio, Liew will helm the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, while Jaujan will hold the local Government and Housing Ministry portfolio.
Warisan vice-president Peter Anthony was named as infrastructure development minister, while another Warisan vice-president Junz Wong was named agriculture and food industries minister.
Shafie named three new ministries: Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry which will be helmed by DAP chairman Stephen Wong; the Education and Innovation Ministry to be helmed by Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusuf Yacob from Warisan; and a Law and Native State Affairs Ministry which will be helmed by Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Aidi Moktar.
Upko Komulakan chief Ewon Benedick was named rural development minister, while Tanjung Papat assemblyman Frankie Poon Ming Fung will head the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Tangau and Stephen are MPs who were nominated to the state assembly.
Sri Tanjong assemblyman Jimmy Wong and Sekong assemblyman Arifin Asgali were named assistant ministers in the Chief Minister’s Department, while Inanam assemblyman Kenny Chua and Merotai assemblyman Saripuddin Hatta were named assistants in the Finance Ministry.
Warisan elected representatives Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor) and Azhar Matussin (Karambunai) was named trade and industries assistant ministers, while Tungku assemblyman Assaffal Alian was named tourism, culture and environment assistant minister.
Karamunting assemblyman Hiew Vun Zin was named local government and housing assistant minister, Sebatik assemblyman Datuk Abdul Muis Picho infrastructure development assistant minister and Bongawan assemblyman Dr Dauf Yusof agriculture and food industries assistant minister.
Three women were also appointed as assistant ministers: Kunak assemblyman Norazlinah Arif for the Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry; Moyog assemblyman Jenifer Lasimbang for the Education and Innovation Ministry; and Kepayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang for the Law and Native Affairs Ministry.
Banggi assemblyman Mohammad Mohamarin will work alongside Jenifer, while Petagas assemblyman Uda Sulai will work alongside Jannie.
The Rural Development Ministry’s two new assistants are Liawan assemblyman Rasinin Binkoutis and Lahad Datu assemblyman Dumi Masdal.
Gum Gum assemblyman Arunarsin Taib was named youth and sports assistant minister.
Shafie was sworn in as the state’s 15th chief minister on May 12, following a power tussle between him and predecessor Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Musa, who was sworn in chief minister on May 10 after being first to declare majority, had named three deputy chief ministers in his Cabinet before the Istana Negeri issued him a letter stating he was no longer chief minister.
Musa has yet to officially resign.
