If BN backs Hajiji, two-thirds majority within reach

 

Newly reappointed Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is close to securing a two-thirds majority in the Sabah legislature.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki indicated last night that BN would be backing part of the new government, which many interpreted as meaning support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

“BN has given support to join forces and form the Sabah government,” he said in a Facebook post, without specifying who they would be partnering with.

Malaysiakini is attempting to get a response from Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin - who has an acrimonious relationship with Hajiji - for confirmation.

Sabah BN is supposed to have autonomy in decision-making.

Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin

GRS won 29 seats last night, and has officially received support from Pakatan Harapan (one), Upko (three), and Star (two) - for 35 seats, two short of a simple majority.

However, Hajiji is believed to have the support of five independent assemblypersons, which would bring the total up to 40.

If BN’s support is confirmed, this will then give Hajiji 46 seats in the legislature, just three short of a two-thirds majority.

Additional support from KDM - which has one seat - would narrow this gap but still leave GRS two seats short.

Sabah legislative assembly

The final piece of the puzzle is Sabah’s appointed assemblypersons.

Hajiji can appoint six such assemblypersons to bulk up his numbers, which would increase the total number of seats in the legislature to 79.

With KDM and the six appointed assemblypersons, Hajiji would then have 53 seats - a two-thirds majority for his government.

Questions are lingering whether Warisan will also work with Hajiji.

If this happens, then the only opposition in Sabah will be the sole PAS assemblyperson. - Mkini