KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of seven Sabah MPs as deputy ministers is likely to soothe ruffled feathers in the state, says political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang.
He said this would allay the voices of discontent that it was under represented in the Federal Government.
Bagang added that the appointments came after only two Sabah leaders - Pakatan Harapan's Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) Papar MP Datuk Armizan Ali - made into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Cabinet.
"These are quotas and as a means for check and balance for the governance of this unity government," he said, on Saturday (Dec 10).
He said he understood there were perceptions in the state that Sabah leaders deserved to be named in more significant portfolios such as the works or education ministries, among others.
"But the appointment of deputy ministers from Sabah should be acknowledged with the spirit of unity.
"What is more important is that they could play significant roles and will be able to deliver their services to the people and the state," Bagang said.
Anwar had on Friday (Dec 9) night announced seven MPs from Sabah as deputy ministers in his Cabinet, with Sabah Barisan Nasional getting three deputy minister positions and Sabah Pakatan two while GRS and Parti Warisan have one each.
Sabah Barisan MPs picked as deputy ministers are Umno's Beaufort MP Datuk Siti Aminah Aching (Plantation and Commodities) and Kimanis MP Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Foreign) while Pensiangan MP Datuk Arthur Kurup, who is the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) deputy president, was named as the Science Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister.
DAP’s Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin was named as the Agriculture and Food Industry Deputy Minister and PKR’s Sepanggar MP Mustapha Sakmud in Human Resources.
GRS' Batu Sapi MP Khairul Firdaus Akbarkhan, who is also Sabah Bersatu information chief, was given the Tourism, Arts and Culture portfolio.
Warisan’s Lahad Datu MP Datuk Yusof Apdal was named as the deputy minister for Higher Education.
Deputy Chief Minister and Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had previously contended that Sabah was under-represented in the federal Cabinet as 24 of the 25 Sabah MPs supported the unity government after only two ministers from Sabah were named in Anwar’s Cabinet.
