Assemblyman for Karamunting Peter Pang En Yin, who applied to join Gerakan yesterday, is no longer deputy chief minister of Sabah.

Chief Minister Musa Aman told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting today that Pang ceased to hold that post with immediate effect, but would remain state minister of youth and sports.

NONEMusa (photo, right) said that he would name Pang's replacement as deputy chief minister for the Chinese quota later.

The other deputy chief ministers are Joseph Pairin Kitingan (for the Kadazandusun quota) and Yahya Hussin (Muslim bumiputera).

"I have briefed the state cabinet about this. We welcome Peter Pang (photo, left) joining Gerakan because it is a component party of Barisan Nasional, but there will be a minor change in the state cabinet.

"The prime minister (Najib Razak) has been informed of the minor changes in the Sabah cabinet resulting from Pang's decision to join Gerakan," Musa said.

Pang left the Liberal Democratic Party in September after LDP deputy president Chin Su Phin said the party leadership could no longer work with Musa.

Pang, who has been partyless since, and more than 100 of his supporters submitted their applications to join Gerakan in a simple ceremony in Sandakan, attended by party president Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Contenders for DCM’s post

A strong contender for the vacant post of deputy chief minister is believed to be State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister and Api Api assemblyman Dr Yee Moh Chai, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president.

Another contender is State Industrial Development Minister Raymond Tan, who was deputy chief minister until he left the Sabah Progressive Party to join the Peninsular Malaysia-based Gerakan.
    
Pang, meanwhile, thanked the chief minister for his confidence in him to continue to serve as a cabinet minister.

Asked on the decision to strip him of the post of deputy chief minister, he said: "It is okay by me as long as my service is needed for the rakyat in whatever capacity."

Pang said he met the prime minister a few days ago and Najib gave his blessings for him to join Gerakan.

- Bernama

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