Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg speaking at the 2026 Sarawak Budget conference in Kuching on Wednesday (Dec 17). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The appointment of new ministers and deputy ministers in the Federal Cabinet is the Prime Minister's prerogative, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Sarawak Premier thanked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for retaining the number of ministers from Sarawak and appointing two more from Pakatan Harapan as deputy ministers.
"Although in Sarawak their parties are not part of the state government, that is the prerogative of the Prime Minister," he told reporters after speaking at the 2026 Sarawak Budget conference here on Wednesday (Dec 17).
Abang Johari was referring to DAP's Mordi Bimol and PKR's Chiew Choon Man, who were appointed Deputy Youth and Sports Minister and Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, respectively, in the reshuffle on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the ruling state coalition, is part of the Federal unity government, but Pakatan remains the Opposition in the state.
On the appointment of Datuk Mustapha Sakmud as a new minister overseeing Sabah and Sarawak affairs, Abang Johari expressed his hope that he would perform well.
