KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah’s newly sworn Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal will lift immigration ban on leaders barred from entering the state.
He had instructed the Immigration Department to immediately allow those banned such as PKR vice presidents - Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua - to enter Sabah without restriction.
Shafie was speaking to the media in a press conference at his office at the Sabah Administrative Centre (PPNS), here, today.
When asked whether there will be a ban on leaders going out of the state, Shafie said the government would see the necessity, stressing it will be under the jurisdiction of the state Immigration Department.
“We’ll see how it is. If we can restrict people from coming in, why not going out. However this is not my power but the immigration.
“Whoever breaks the regulation, will have to face it (the law). If I can be remanded why not others,” he said, which drew laughter from the media.
Shafie, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister on Saturday, turned up at PPNS for a briefing with State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
On his first day as the Chief Minister,Shafie said he would be meeting with all heads of departments and civil servants to explain on the new government direction.
“This is important so they will have clarity in terms of policy direction and our capability.
“I have had also been briefed by the Sabah police commissioner (Datuk Ramli Din) on the state security and as promised in our 100 days (manifesto), there will be a change,” he said.
On whether investigations would be carried out on any wrongdoing from previous administration, Shafie said he would leave the matter up to the federal authority.
“We will see but what is important, it (probe) has to follow the regulation and facts and not based on hearsay.
“I know there are several matters but we will leave that up to the federal authority as this is not under my jurisdiction,” he said.
Shafie also noted he would be meeting with all assemblymen at the Chief Minister’s official residence in Sri Gaya to discuss on matters pertaining to declaration of assets, stressing he does not want cabinet ministers and representatives to have conflict of interests.
On Saturday night, Shafie was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister after Warisan-PH obtained majority of 35 when six assemblymen from Umno and Upko quit Sabah Barisan Nasional and threw in their support for Warisan-PH.
On Thursday, Upko quit BN and formed collaboration with Warisan-PH.
Asked on the role of Upko in the government, Shafie assured the party is part and parcel of his government.
“They will be in the government but we’ll announce soon. Let it be a suprise,” he said.
