State government departments would also be restructured, he said, and professional people appointed to the state assembly as nominated members.
Shafie said all partners in the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan alliance would be included.
His administration would aggressively pursue the issue of Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, as the matter was a priority in Warisan’s election manifesto and that of its ally Pakatan Harapan.
He would submit several names from Sabah for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to consider appointing to the federal cabinet. Yesterday Mahathir named three PH party leaders to fill the three most senior portfolios – finance, home affairs, and defence.
“The federal government has to deliver Sabah’s rights in line with the formation of Malaysia,” he said, adding that efforts would be undertaken to strengthen the relationship between the state and federal governments.
Shafie said he was considering appointing professional people who had not run in the recently concluded general election to fill the position of six nominated members of the state assembly, provided by the state constitution.
“These professionals will have the ability to improve our delivery system and will also help implement our upcoming policies,” he said. “This includes the restructuring of departments under the ministries in Sabah.”
Shafie attended his first official function as chief minister at the Sabah Dragon Boat Race, in attendance to the governor, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.