“If one does not have any interest in mind, why should others question the motive for this?” he said at a press conference at his house here today.
Without mentioning names, Shafie said unlike his predecessor, he intends to manage the economy better, being an economist himself.
“The most important thing to do now is to ensure Sabah’s economy is on the right track.
“We want to create a vibrant economic environment to attract more investors to Sabah.”
Shafie said as finance minister, he would not be directly involved in approving projects, as there will be a new centralised body in place to vet and approve all contracts and policies.
Shafie also revealed his administration will appoint a council of elders — similar to what the federal government has — comprising former civil servants, corporate leaders and experts in fields necessary to help the government bureaucracy.
Leiking recommended for federal post
Shafie had named 10 state ministers and 18 assistant ministers in a swearing-in ceremony earlier today at the state palace.
Commenting on the absence of Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking in the state cabinet line-up, Shafie said Leiking preferred to take up a federal post.
“I cannot say definitely he will be a full minister because that is left to the discretion of the prime minister. But I have conveyed my thoughts on the matter.
“Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad is a wise man and he will consider the view of Sabahans because we have been supporting Pakatan Harapan all this while. I am sure he knows it well,” he said.
Shafie was appointed chief minister on May 12, just two days after Sabah BN chairman Musa Aman was sworn in as the state chief minister before state governor Juhar Mahiruddin.
Musa had also named his cabinet members but two of them chose to jump ship and joined Warisan last week. After Shafie was sworn in, the state palace sent a letter to Musa, informing him he was no longer the chief minister of Sabah.
However, according to sources in the state Barisan Nasional, Musa is expected to file an injunction in the court on Friday to strike out Shafie’s appointment and to get the court to recognise him as the rightful chief minister, based on the reading of the state constitution.