KOTA KINABALU, Sept 23 – The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will appoint a Chinese elected representative as a Deputy Chief Minister if it is returned as the State Government, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
“If this government is given the mandate once again, and if many Chinese leaders are successfully elected as representatives, I will appoint one of those Chinese leaders as the Deputy Chief Minister,” he said.
Speaking at the Get-Together Night with the Chinese community, mission and Chinese independent schools and non-Muslim religious bodies at Hakka Hall here on Monday night, he said in this regard, the role and contribution of the Chinese community are highly significant in the progress and development of Sabah.
“Without your contributions, the state’s economy would not have grown. In fact, the contributions of the Chinese community in Sabah span across various fields and sectors.
“In the private sector, the role of Chinese entrepreneurs and traders is at the top. In the context of the state public service, many officers of Chinese descent hold senior positions in ministries, departments, and government-linked companies (GLCs).
“Indeed, we acknowledge and appreciate the role and contributions of the Chinese community in our society,” he said.
To further strengthen the administration of the state, Hajiji said he had appointed several advisors, particularly those who are experts and experienced in the fields of oil and gas, finance, investment and law.
“Coincidentally, almost all of them are of Chinese descent. Most recently, I appointed the honourable Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah, former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, to lead the Sabah Law Reform Advisory Council (SLRAC) – an independent body established to strengthen the state’s legal system.
“This council will review outdated laws, propose relevant, fair, and people-friendly reforms, and ensure that our administration is aligned with current needs. This is how we improve state governance, ensuring that Sabah remains progressive and respected,” he said. – Borneo Post
