Fadillah: GPS ministers, deputies will fight for Sarawak's rights

KUCHING: The newly-appointed Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) have pledged to fight for state rights while upholding the nation's interests.

Speaking after his appointment, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (pic) said that the GPS ministers would do their best to carry out their responsibilities in their respective portfolios.

The GPS chief whip thanked Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for appointing four ministers and five deputy ministers from GPS.

"This is a recognition for the people of Sarawak under the leadership of the eighth Prime Minister at Federal level and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at state level.

"Our appointment is not something for us to brag about, but is a duty entrusted to us for the people and nation, which we must shoulder with humility and responsibility," the senior minister said in a statement on Monday (Mar 9).

Besides Fadillah, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi was appointed as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister. All four are from PBB, the biggest party in the state coalition.

The deputy ministers from GPS are Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs portfolio in the Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (National Unity), Hasbi Habibollah (Transport), Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (Health) and Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Rural Development).

Two other Sarawakian MPs, Ali Biju and Willie Mongin, who quit PKR during the recent political upheaval, were appointed deputy ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Primary Industries and Commodities respectively.

Fadillah said although GPS was part of the Federal Cabinet, the state coalition remained a Sarawakian political entity which was friendly to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Federal Government.

"GPS will keep fighting for Sarawak's rights and will not join PN. Even during the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, GPS was friendly to the Federal Government.

"The difference now is that Muhyiddin needs GPS to be in the Cabinet to face the challenging political and economic scenario in the national interest," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing hoped the Sarawakian faces in the Cabinet would speak up for state rights and interests.

"Sarawak's interests rest on their willingness to fight for the state without fear or favour," he said.

He also said the big picture of what the nation needed should come first, rather than numbers and portfolios in the Cabinet.

"What the parties want are secondary to the Prime Minister's right in forming a government for a democratic system.

"Cabinet appointments are the prerogative of the Prime Minister. Being the captain, he decides who shall be the members of his crew by taking into account the number of MPs from each party," he said.