KOTA KINABALU: Leaders from Sabah and Sarawak have broadly welcomed the latest Cabinet reshuffle, expressing hope that the new line-up will strengthen federal-state cooperation and bring a renewed focus to long-standing development and autonomy-related issues.
In Sabah, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin described the appointment of Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister as timely, particularly in managing the country’s natural resources and advancing the agenda of sustainability.
Jafry said Arthur’s portfolio is closely aligned with Sabah’s priorities, especially in biodiversity conservation, the management of protected areas, climate change initiatives and the sustainable development of tourism.
“We welcome cooperation with the ministry in these areas to ensure responsible and sustainable development for the benefit of the state and the country,” he said in congratulating Arthur.
Arthur, the son of the late former Sabah deputy chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, is Sook assemblyman and Pensiangan MP.
He was previously deputy agriculture and food security minister and is one of two Sabah leaders appointed as full ministers in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s new Cabinet.
The other is Sepanggar MP Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who was named Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs.
He was formerly deputy higher education minister.
Jafry said close synergy between state and federal ministries is vital to ensuring that tourism development and environmental protection are carried out responsibly and sustainably.
Other Sabah leaders appointed in the reshuffle include Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin as Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Tawau MP Datuk Loh Su Fui as Deputy Federal Territories Minister, Batu Sapi MP Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan as Deputy Human Resources Minister, and Kimanis MP Datuk Mohamad Alamin as Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
In Sarawak, state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomed Mustapha’s appointment, expressing hope that he would settle into his role quickly as several matters involving both states were still under negotiation.
He noted that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof had performed well in chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council and hoped the new minister would continue the work that had already been carried out.
Sarawak Senator Abun Sui Anyit said the reshuffle recognises the importance of fair representation for Sabah and Sarawak at the federal level.
“The appointment of Mustapha as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, together with the inclusion of Sarawak representatives Chiew Choon Man and Mordi Bimol as deputy ministers, demonstrates the Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening the voice of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Independent Council of Natives (Icon) member Bill Jugah said Mustapha’s appointment signalled the Prime Minister’s intention to reset federal-state engagement with a renewed focus on equitable partnership and rights under MA63.
“This reshuffle aims to strengthen federal credibility and remove political distrust, while positioning Sabah and Sarawak issues – especially MA63 implementation – at the core of national policy discourse.”
He said elevating a Sabahan to the ministerial role acknowledged that previous approaches had been insufficient and that inclusive dialogue must replace unilateral federal direction.
However, he stressed that the appointment must be matched with tangible action on MA63“We urge all stakeholders to commit to sustained dialogue, to report progress publicly and to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak realise the promises enshrined in MA63,” he said.
