Kota Kinabalu: Only seven of the 12 Opposition assemblymen have formally notified the House of their decision to make Datuk Lajim Ukin (PKR-Klias) their chief.Assembly Speaker Datuk Salleh Tun Said he had received letters from Lajim as well as five other PKR assemblymen Christina Liew (Api Api), Jelani Hamdan (Matunggong), Roland Chia (Inanam), Terence Siambun (Moyog) and Ukoh@Jeremy Malajat (Kadamaian).
He said the seventh letter he received naming Lajim as Opposition chief was from Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan (STAR-Bingkor).
"We take note of the letters we have received and we have no objection of Lajim being the Opposition chief," he said on Wednesday.
Lajim told the media later that the remaining four DAP Assemblymen - Hiew King Cheu (Luyang), Wong Hong Jun (Likas), Chan Foong Hin (Sri Tanjong) and Dr Edwin Bosi (Kapayan) as well as PKR's Datuk Wilfred Bumburing (Tamparuli) had agreed to him leading the opposition.
He said Sabah DAP assemblymen have stated that they honour Pakatan's decision that the party that commands the majority in the election has the right to decide who should lead the opposition.
Salleh in a separate press conference said there is no provision in the Assembly on the appointment of an opposition leader unlike in Parliament.
Nevertheless, Lajim hoped that the opposition is given an office or room for the opposition to meet and hold discussions before entering the assembly hall.
"We also hope that we would be given desks, chairs and probably two computer sets to use," he said.
He also requested two officers to be assigned to the opposition during assembly sittings.
He also suggested that a secretariat be formed for the opposition assemblymen.
Regarding the proposed shadow cabinet, he said it would be discussed with Sabah Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners, including Dr Jeffrey.
He said the shadow cabinet would be announced before the next assembly sitting.
Matunggong Assemblyman, Jelani Hamdan, who proposed the shadow cabinet said it was to monitor the performance of the ministries and BN Government.
