“A smooth transition is needed as the AG’s position is important in assisting the new political leadership,” the source told FMT.

The source added that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) – consisting of Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah – would like to pick an AG with whom they were comfortable working.

FMT has attempted to reach Soh and is awaiting for his response.

On July 24, then Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal announced that Soh had been appointed to the position after obtaining consent of Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin.

Soh, 43, who is a former Sabah Law Society president, was appointed as the state AG for a two-year term effective July 11, 2020.

He replaced Zaleha Rose Pandin who had then been appointed a judicial commissioner.

Soh represented the governor in the suit filed by former Sungai Sibuga assemblyman Musa Aman over the latter’s dismissal as chief minister a day after his appointment on May 10.

A day later, Shafie was appointed and the “two CMs” dispute is now before the Federal Court.

Soh also appeared for the governor when Musa and 32 other assemblymen filed a legal challenge over the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on July 30.

They have taken the position that Shafie could not advise the governor to dissolve the assembly as he had lost the majority support of the assemblymen.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) won the Sabah election to form the new state government. GRS, comprising PN, BN and PBS won 38 seats – with PN taking 17 seats, BN (14) and PBS (seven).

Warisan Plus – comprising Warisan, DAP, PKR and Upko – won 32 seats.

Another three seats went to independent candidates, who have also aligned themselves with GRS in the state government.

However, the Bugaya seat became vacant three days ago when Manis Muka Mohd Darah of Warisan died due to kidney problems.