Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak received his appointment as Sabah's Chief Inspector of Projects on May 19, 2026, from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at Menara Kinabalu [1, 2]. Salleh pledged to carry out his duties with "full dedication, transparency, integrity, and accountability," saying, "I would like to express my highest appreciation to the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sabah for the trust and confidence placed in me. I will carry out this responsibility with full dedication, guided by my experience, while ensuring governance that is transparent, ethical, and accountable" [1]. He also stated he would uphold the role with "full commitment" [2].
Salleh is a veteran Sabah politician, having served as Chief Minister from December 1994 to May 1996 [1]. He was Minister of Communications and Multimedia under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government between July 2015 and May 2018 [1, 2]. He also held parliamentary and state assembly seats, including as Member of Parliament for Kota Belud and Usukan Assemblyman [2]. Despite contesting the Usukan state seat in the 2025 Sabah state election, Salleh lost that race [1].
Salleh is the son of Mohammad Said Keruak, Sabah’s seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) [1]. He was appointed to his new post by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government. GRS, chaired by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, won 29 seats in the 2025 state election and maintains power with support from independents and other assemblymen [1]. Following United Sabah National Organisation’s (USNO) exit from GRS in April 2026, the coalition now consists of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Cinta Sabah, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah [1].
As Chief Inspector of Projects, Salleh is expected to oversee and audit the progress of state projects with a focus on transparency and accountability. His appointment letter was presented on May 19, 2026, officially marking the start of his new role [2].
