Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state assembly secretary, Bernard Dalinting, may be sacked for allowing opposition assemblypersons to be sworn-in on June 12 without informing the state government and governor.

“We will decide together with lawmakers and other relevant authorities,” he said during the state’s Hari Raya celebrations, The Star reported today.

All 21 assemblypersons from Sabah BN and Star did not attend the first state assembly meeting and swearing-in ceremony on June 11.

Instead, they held a separate swearing-in ceremony the next day for them, except for Sungai Sibuga assemblyperson and former chief minister Musa Aman, as well as Apas assemblyperson Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.

The 19 assemblypersons could have waited to be sworn-in on July 2, which is when the next sitting is scheduled, Shafie said.

“Why choose to do it themselves without informing us?” he questioned.

Due to this incident, Shafie said the state legislative assembly administration will undergo several changes so that everyone understands the procedures.

“This is not interference by the state government into the legislative assembly. We will follow standing orders and laws,” he said.

The opposition parties, he added, should set aside their political differences and cooperate with the new state government.