KOTA KINABALU: Bersatu’s lone non-Muslim bumiputera MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee says he feels honoured to be made Agriculture and Food Industry Minister after serving nearly 20 years as a lawmaker for Beluran, Sabah’s second largest parliamentary constituency.
“I feel honoured to be recognised by our Prime Minister.
"It is a senior ministerial position and comes with responsibility. I will do my best with the trust given to me by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“It is the first time that a minister in the federal Cabinet is coming from Beluran, ” said the 60-year-old who is of mixed ethnic Sungai and Dusun parentage.
Kiandee said he was confident he would be able to handle the task ahead, as he had a good understanding of the workings of Parliament and government over the years.
He served Beluran under Barisan-Umno from 1999, but left Umno during the exodus of top party leaders in December 2018 after the 14th General Election.
He was among the prime movers as Bersatu spread its wings to Sabah in April 2019. He was made Sabah Bersatu secretary.
Kiandee began his political career in the late 1980s and was secretary-general of the now defunct Parti Akar that was led by former Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Kiandee left Akar, which was part of Sabah Barisan Nasional government, to join Sabah Umno in 1999.
Akar also dissolved with Pandikar and its members joining Sabah Umno.
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