Eager beavers: Zambry clocking in on his first day of work as the newly-appointed Higher Education Minister at the ministry. Also present is Mustapha Sakmud (third from right). — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Newly-appointed Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir says he will continue to implement the good work carried out by his predecessor Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.
Zambry said both he and Khaled have a good working relationship as members of the Cabinet.
“Khaled has put in place a good foundation during his year as higher education minister and I will continue the agendas that were initiated together (in the unity government),” he said when clocking in at his ministry on his first day of duty as minister yesterday.
Joining him was his deputy Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who has been redeployed from the Human Resources Ministry.
Zambry said he would meet with his ministry staff to know more about issues related to the country’s higher education policies.
“Even though I know some of the issues on the surface through discussions at Cabinet meetings, I want to digest and understand how these policies are implemented,” he added.
He said as he continues with the policies that are already in place, together with his deputy and team at the ministry, he will bring Malaysia to the international stage with “good education policies that can fulfil current needs”.
On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s message during the first Cabinet meeting after the reshuffle, Zambry said Anwar wanted the ministers to work as a team to develop the country.
“We work as a team not only in the context of ministries but also between ministries – there are matters related to certain assignments that require togetherness in the context between ministries.
“This is very important, especially in the context of education.”
On a separate matter, Zambry, who is Barisan Nasional secretary-general, said the Cabinet reshuffle had nothing to do with “protecting” Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He added that Anwar had carried out the reshuffle after assessing the best way for the ministers to serve the people.
“This has nothing to do with politics as speculated by some parties,” he said.
The Foreign Ministry is now held by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, while Khaled assumes the Defence Minister portfolio.
Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said one of his first assignments when he began his duty was answering questions at the Dewan Negara on behalf of his ministry.
“I will work together with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the team at the ministry to ensure the ministry’s policies are implemented effectively,” he said when clocking in at the Education Ministry.
