KOTA KINABALU - A total of 78 Sabah State Assembly members, including six appointed representatives, took their oaths before Speaker Datuk Kadzim M Yahya at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
The Sabah State Assembly comprises 79 seats, but the Lamag seat remains vacant following the passing of its representative, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, last Friday.
Also sworn in were Karanaan assemblyman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, the Deputy Chief Minister II and Sabah Finance Minister, along with Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick, who now holds the post of Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transportation.
Seven other assemblymen who are part of the Sabah Cabinet also took their oaths:
Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong), Datuk Jamawi Jaafar (Melalap), Datuk Jafry Arifin (Sukau), Datuk Nizam Abu Titingan (Apas), and Datuk Julita Majungki (Matunggong).
Seventeen Assistant Ministers were also sworn in, including appointed representative Datuk Caesar Mandela Malakun.
Five other appointed assembly members who took their oaths were Datuk Chin Shu Ying, Datuk Abdul Kassim Razali, Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi, Datuk Roger Chin Ken Fong, and Grace Lee Li Mei.
Opposition Leader and Senallang assemblyman, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, also completed the swearing-in process.
Earlier, Speaker Kadzim extended his condolences to the family of the late Bung Moktar, praying that he be placed among the righteous.
In the 17th Sabah State Election held on 29 November, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secured 29 of the 73 contested seats, followed by Parti Warisan with 25, Barisan Nasional with six, Independents with five, UPKO with three, and STAR with two.
Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, and Pakatan Harapan each won one seat.