Sarawak got a ‘good deal’ with Cabinet line-up

KUCHING: Sarawak has got a good deal in the new Federal Government Cabinet line-up, with four full ministers, including a senior minister, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The state is also represented by seven deputy ministers.

Nine of them are from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), reflecting the state coalition’s support for the new Federal Government, while two others are former PKR MPs aligned to International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The most senior position went to GPS’ Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who was appointed Works Minister.

The other ministers are Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Among the deputy ministers, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib was appointed to the new Sabah and Sarawak Affairs portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Department. Fellow GPS MPs appointed deputy ministers were Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (National Unity), Hasbi Habibollah (Transport), Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (Health) and Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Rural Development).

Ali Biju and Willie Mongin, who quit PKR along with Azmin, were appointed deputy ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Primary Industries and Commodities respectively.

Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir said Sarawak has “got the best deal in the Cabinet line-up.”

“With so many positions, there is nothing to complain about. This shows that the Prime Minister has listened to the voice of GPS. Sarawakians and GPS should be happy with it, ” he said.

On the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs portfolio, Jeniri said it reflected Muhyiddin’s commitment to tackle issues related to both states, especially those involving the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“With this new portfolio, there is no reason that the MA63 problem can’t be solved. The ministers concerned have been given the chance to fix these issues once and for all, ” he added.

Associate Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya was also of the view that the four ministerial positions and seven deputy minister posts given to Sarawak was the best that GPS, as well as Ali and Willie, could have received for supporting Perikatan Nasional.

He noted that the strategic Works Ministry was given to a Sarawakian to lead, who would be expected to review various projects in Sabah and Sarawak which had been postponed or cancelled by the previous administration.

“The special Sarawak and Sabah Affairs portfolio is also welcomed to ensure that state rights, oil royalty and MA63 issues can be resolved more quickly, ” he said.

“The people of Sabah and Sarawak want these issues to be expedited and not remain as mere rhetoric to attract votes.

“They will not want those holding this portfolio to be seat warmers, ” he added.