Although Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin had earlier stated that PAS’s Kalabakan assemblyman Datuk Aliakbar would not be joining the Sabah state government, PAS announced on Thursday that the party’s only assemblyman will support the state government led by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji.
PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim stated that PAS’s stance is to fully support the leadership of Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji, and this has already been communicated to party president Tan Sri Hadi Awang.
“Therefore, our position is to support and uphold the current Sabah state government… This position has also been expressed at the PN meeting.”
Tuan Ibrahim made this announcement at a short press conference outside Seri Pahang Complex in Kuantan on Thursday (11th) afternoon.
Tuan Ibrahim noted that he had contacted PAS assemblyman Ali Akbar and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji to notify them of PAS’s position, which is intended to strengthen Hajiji’s leadership and ensure the stability of the state.
When asked if this decision contradicted Muhyiddin’s statement yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim said there was no contradiction because the Kalabakan assemblyman belongs to PAS.
“There is no contradiction, and we have also expressed this matter at the recent PN meeting.”
He reiterated that the decision to support the state government is based on the good relationship between Ali Akbar and Hajiji.
“This step will help Ali Akbar carry out his duties as an assemblyman more smoothly, providing the best service to the people of his constituency.”
Ali Akbar won in the state elections on November 29, becoming the first PAS member to enter the Sabah State Assembly through elections.
He defeated 10 other candidates, including the incumbent (BN candidate Yakub Khan), with a majority of less than 400 votes.
However, this is not his first entry into the Sabah State Assembly; as early as October 2020, he was appointed to the assembly by the state government at a time when PN was cooperating with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).