Adenan unveils cabinet line-up, appoints nine full ministers
THE STAR
KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem says he needs all the help he can get to help him govern the state well.
KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem says he needs all the help he can get to help him govern the state well.
"I am appointing nine full ministers inclusive of three deputy chief ministers.
"We have increased the state constituencies from 72 to 82 and this certainly justifies the need to have the numbers," he told a packed media conference at the state legislative assembly building here Friday.
The nine had earlier attended a swearing-in ceremony before Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Adenan himself holds two portfolios namely Minister of Finance and Minister of Resource Planning and Environment.
The three Deputy Chief Ministers are Datuk Amar Douglas Unggah Embas, Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Douglas Unggah is also appointed as state Agriculture Modernisation and Rural Economy Minister while Dr James Jemut is the Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister.
Abang Johari will hold two portfolios – as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister and Housing and Urbanisation Minister.
Masing is also the president of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) which had delivered all its 11 seats in the 11th state election, while Abang Johari is the deputy president of the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
"I could actually do with more ministers as the responsibilities of the government is expanding but what I have with me now is sufficient.
“We will have to go to the state legislative assembly to amend the state constitution if we want to increase the number," he said.
On the appointment of assistant ministers, he said this would be done in due time after he had studied and done some adjustments.
Replying to a question, Adenan said he would have appointed a Chinese deputy chief minister had the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) delivered all its 13 seats.
The party managed to win seven and its president Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian had been appointed as Minister of Local Government.
Elaborating, he said he had never promised he would appoint a Chinese deputy chief minister as reported in social media but merely said he would appoint ministers to represent the community.
He added that he had another Chinese assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Wong Soon Koh as Second Minister of Finance.
Adenan described his team as a "very strong line-up" and with ministers capable and willing to serve the people.
He added within the next five years, the state government’s main priority would be on rural transformation.
"Now is the time to walk the talk, to fulfil the promises made," he said.
He also said he would pursue with the oil and gas royalty issue with the Federal Government.
"No, we have not forgotten this issue. If the Federal Government had forgotten, we will keep on reminding them," he said in a jest.
Adenan also confirmed that six direct Barisan Nasional candidates had applied to join the PBB.
"It is difficult to reject when people want to join you, who think along the same line. But we have told them to hold on first before we make the decision," he added.
The other appointments are Tebedu assemblyman Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong as Youth and Sports and Solidarity Minister.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who won the Bukit Sari seat uncontested, is the Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment.
The sole woman in the cabinet, Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who is Dalat assemblyman, has been appointed as Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister.
Sarawak Barisan Nasional secretary-general and Kemena assemblyman Datuk Stephen Rundi Utom is the Minister of Public Utilities. - Bernama
