By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 10: PBB vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah speculated that Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing may have rejected his appointment as deputy minister.
To Abdul Karim, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will respect the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president’s decision should that be the case.
“Probably he is rejecting the appointment and if he is, we have to respect his decision,” Abdul Karim told DayakDaily.
As a colleague of Tiong for many years, Abdul Karim who is also Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister believed that Tiong must have his reasons for his absence at the federal cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Istana Melawati earlier this afternoon.
“There is a high possibility that he wants to focus on helping his party in the forthcoming Sarawak Election where his presence in the state is much needed,” opined Abdul Karim.
Amidst speculations, Abdul Karim also stated clearly that the reasons for Tiong’s absence could only be given by Tiong himself.
Ten of 11 Sarawakian ministers and deputy ministers took their oath of office, allegiance and secrecy before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah at Istana Melawati, Putrajaya today.
However, Tiong who was appointed National Unity Deputy Minister was not present at the swearing-in ceremony. Attempts to reach Tiong were unsuccessful as at press time.
The ministers and deputy ministers took their oaths in batches at the ceremony which began at 3pm, which was also witnessed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily
