PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who has taken on one of the most powerful portfolios in the Cabinet, acknowledged that it will be a steep learning curve for him.
“There is no honeymoon period,” said the new Home Minister.
For starters, Saifuddin Nasution, who took his oath of office on Saturday, already has a packed schedule this week with briefing sessions from key agencies under the ministry.
It is a heavy responsibility helming this “large, complex and challenging ministry” in the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said.
“Top on my list this week is to listen to briefings about the tasks, functions, challenges and the agenda of the ministry.
“I think the first week or two will be filled with briefings,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said that he, as the minister, would have to learn quickly and “understand everything” before setting a clear direction and providing leadership to the ministry.
The senator added that the learning process must be fast.
This is because the main forces under the ministry, such as the police, Immigration Department, border control agencies, marine police, Prisons Department and even supporting agencies such as the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), were absolutely crucial to preserve public order and safety, he said.
“The success or failure of the journey of a ministry depends on how successful or efficient its agencies are,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution also noted that he would need to attend a briefing session by Anwar at the Prime Minister’s Office at 10am today.
“We will listen to the mandate and guidance from the Prime Minister before starting our work for the day,” he said.
Once he is more settled at the Home Ministry, Saifuddin Nasution said he would be holding engagement sessions with civil societies.
On his hopes as the minister, he said he wanted to deal with the racial polarisation that had shaped the country’s politics during the 15th General Election (GE15).
The GE15 results had displayed a worrying trend whereby people voted along racial lines, he added.
He voiced concerns about people making their decisions based on race.
“This trend is very unhealthy for our country’s multiracial population.
“I think that will be one of my main focuses from now on,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution, who is PKR secretary-general, was once in the Cabinet as the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister after Pakatan Harapan formed the government following GE14 in 2018.
He is the assemblyman for Pantai Jerejak, having won the Penang state seat in GE14.
Born in 1963, he studied at Tamagawa Gakuen in Japan where he obtained a Training Management Certificate. He also graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia with a Masters of Science (Agronomy).
