Bung Moktar slams appointment of Umno duo to Sabah Cabinet

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin today said that the two assemblymen from the party who were appointed to the state Cabinet today do not represent Sabah Umno.

The two are the assemblyman for Tanjung Keramat, Shahelmy Yahya, who was appointed as deputy chief minister III cum state minister of works – the portfolio previously held by Bung Moktar – and Sugut assemblyman James Ratib, who was made the state minister of community development and people’s well-being.

Bung Moktar, who is Lamag assemblyman, said Sabah Umno would not recognise the appointment of the two assemblymen whom he said appeared to have turned their backs on the party. 

"Chief Minister Hajiji Noor cannot claim or recognise the two assemblymen as representing Umno in his Cabinet... this matter will be brought to the attention of the Umno disciplinary board.

"We will discuss with the president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) about further action to be taken," Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said in a statement today.

Earlier today, Hajiji announced a reshuffle of the Sabah Cabinet involving seven assemblymen and two each from BN and Pakatan Harapan.

The Cabinet reshuffle saw Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan appointed as deputy chief minister I to replace Bung Moktar.