Anwar wants 'strong govt under Hajiji'

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hope to see Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor continue to head the state government, but the resulting government may fall short of initial expectations.

“We want a strong Sabah government under Hajiji, and tomorrow, we have an important bill that I have proposed in the cabinet. This is a major change and this is what I prioritise,” he said, referring to an upcoming special state assembly sitting.

“We will give the chief minister space to discuss and come up with a good formula for the betterment of Sabah,” he told reporters as he emerged from the Sabah chief minister’s official residence in Kota Kinabalu.

Anwar answered in the affirmative when asked if he meant to give Hajiji his blessing to remain as chief minister.

The premier was speaking to reporters as he was departing Sri Gaya along with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to head back to Kuala Lumpur.

It is learnt that the federal government wished to broker a unity government in Sabah. This would mean reconciliation between Hajiji’s camp including the five Umno assemblypersons backing him, with Sabah Umno under deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin.

However, an aide to Hajiji indicated the level of support for Hajiji has not increased despite the series of negotiations throughout the day.

According to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan, meanwhile, Hajiji still has the backing of 44 assemblypersons compared to the 40 needed for a simple majority in the state assembly.

Hajiji held a meeting with the assemblypersons backing him after sending off Anwar and Zahid at the airport, but declined to speak to the press on the matter.

Among those seen at Sri Gaya tonight include Sabah Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons, along with the five Sabah Umno dissidents who disagreed with Bung’s decision to withdraw support for Hajiji’s leadership. GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun and Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail were also spotted.

Earlier today, Zahid had met with Sabah Umno leaders at the state chapter’s headquarters, before heading to Magellan Sutera Resort to meet up with Anwar.

Anwar, fresh from his two-day official visit to Jakarta, went to Magellan Sutera Resort upon touching down at Kota Kinabalu airport at about 9.40pm.

Warisan leaders Azis Jamman and Loretto Padua, who are in the opposition bloc, were among those seen waiting to welcome Anwar at the airport.

The prime minister had expressed optimism about the situation as he left the resort together with Zahid and his entourage.

“We are still negotiating. The situation is improving.

“(Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and I are looking for a good solution for Sabah, and the decision will come from Sabahan leaders themselves. We can only advise,” he told reporters.

They arrived at Sri Gaya at around 11.20pm and left about 45 minutes later.

KINIGUIDE | What we know about the Sabah leadership row so far

Sabah crisis and cabinet offers spark concern of tremors in Putrajaya

5 Sabah BN state reps deny plans of forming new party

Zahid to discuss Sabah 'formula' with CM, PM