Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak was today appointed speaker of the Sabah legislative assembly.

Salleh, who is Sabah Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson, takes over as the eighth speaker of the assembly from Juhar Mahiruddin who was appointed Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri effective Jan 1.

The appointment of Salleh as the state assembly speaker was announced by Chief Minister Musa Aman after he had chaired a meeting of the state cabinet.

Musa said Salleh would assume the post on Jan 17, and that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had been informed about the appointment.

Salleh, who holds the post of science advisor to the chief minister with ministerial status, was born on July 7, 1957 in Kota Belud.

He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Salleh began his career in the public service in 1983 as the district officer of Kota Belud, and two years later was made the political secretary to the deputy chief minister.

He was the chief minister from Dec 27, 1994 to March 17, 1996 under the system of rotation of the post of chief minister among leaders of the three major communities in Sabah.

He also served as Sabah local government and housing minister in 2003.

Salleh, who is also president of the United Sabah Bajau Organisation (USBO), is married to Raya Erom, and they have four children.

- Bernama