KOTA KINABALU, Sept 29 -- Reviving the state economy which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of the new Sabah government.

Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor said the state government would give its full commitment to face the challenges to contain the spread of the pandemic and address its implications.

“We took over the (state) government in an unusual situation. We are facing economic issues due to COVID-19. Therefore, our aim now is to revive the economy,” he said in a press conference after meeting the State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong at the Sabah State Administrative Centre here, today.

Also present were the three newly-appointed Sabah Deputy Chief Ministers namely Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

This morning, Hajiji and the three deputy chief ministers, as well as two new Sabah Cabinet ministers, took their oath of office before Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Negeri.

The two ministers are Finance Minister II who is also State Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Masidi Manjun, and State Rural Development Minister, Datuk Jahid Jahim.

Hajiji said he was confident that the newly appointed ministers would be able to carry out their duties and responsibilities well because each of them has the administrative experience.

He added that the new state government would be a government that could champion the plight of its people and govern the state well.

Meanwhile, Hajiji said he was the chief minister to an inclusive state government which would give its full service to all Sabah people regardless of background and political views.

-- BERNAMA