KOTA KINABALU, Sept 29 -- Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor has announced switching portfolios between Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Bung Moktar was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister 1 cum Works Minister while Masidi was made Finance Minister II cum Local  Government and Housing Minister.

Hajiji said he needed Masidi who is experienced especially in assisting him to restore the economy of Sabah and to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I need the service of Masidi to assist me in financial matters especially to restore Sabah’s economy as well as to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Masidi is experienced in finance and economics and the appointments have been agreed by all,” he said.

He was speaking at a media conference after a briefing by State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong at Sabah State Administrative Centre (PPNS) here today.

Earlier, Masidi was appointed as Works Minister while Bung Moktar was made Local Government and Housing Minister during the swearing-in ceremony of Hajiji as the 16th Sabah Chief Minister before the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Negeri, here this morning.

Three other ministers who also took their oaths were Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Fisheries Minister.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam took his oath as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development Minister.

PBS secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim was appointed as state Rural Development Minister.

Hajiji said five more ministers and assistant ministers would also be taking their oath soon.

Meanwhile, commenting on speculations that UMNO was not happy with the division of posts in Sabah cabinet, Hajiji said the issue did not arise.

“It is not true, UMNO is here, Bung Moktar was present. So it does not arise (unhappiness),” he said. 

--BERNAMA