Zahid accepts Hajiji being made CM

(FMT) – Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has accepted the decision of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to name Sabah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Hajiji Noor as the Sabah chief minister.

He said he had been informed by Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin that GRS’ assemblymen had reached an agreement to name Hajiji for the top post so that the new state government could immediately start working for Sabahans.

He added that he respected the decision as full autonomy had been granted to Sabah Umno.

“I hope this newly formed government will be able to immediately focus on the various issues and defend the interests of Sabahans, as enshrined under GRS’ ‘Aku Janji’ manifesto,” he said in a statement today.

GRS today agreed to pick Hajiji, the state PPBM chief and newly elected Sulaman assemblyman, as its chief minister candidate.

Hajiji had made the announcement on GRS’ decision at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu with Bung, who was earlier said to be the second contender for the post.

Zahid had earlier insisted that the state’s chief minister should be from BN, adding that he was against conceding the post to any other party.

According to a report in The Star earlier today, Zahid was said to have written to Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin proposing Bung as the state’s next chief minister.

He said BN had twice made way for PPBM, in letting them have the posts of prime minister and Perak menteri besar, despite having more elected representatives.