By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 10: 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 wife Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah at Istana Melawati, Putrajaya today.
However, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was appointed National Unity Deputy Minister was not present at the swearing-in ceremony. Attempts to reach Tiong was 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 wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.
Nine out of 18 MPs from the state-ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) were appointed to Muhyiddin’s new Cabinet which was announced yesterday (March 9).
Four members of Parliaments (MPs) from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Sarawak (PBB) were appointed as ministers while four lawmakers, one each, from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) were made deputies.
The other two were from the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition – Ali Biju (Saratok) and Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo).
Works Minister Datuk Fadilah Yusof was in the first batch of seven ministers led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to swear in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
This was followed by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The deputy ministers who were sworn in were Ali Biju (Energy and Natural Resources), Willie Mongin (Commodity and Primary Industry), Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Rural Development), Datuk Aaron Dagang (Health), Hasbi Habibolldah (Transport) and Datuk Hanifah Taib (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department).
Meanwhile, the new federal cabinet comprised of 31 ministers and 38 deputy ministers.
For the first time in the country’s history, the administration will not have a deputy prime minister.
Instead, the premier will be advised by four senior ministers, namely Azmin (International Trade and Industry Minister), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Defence Minister), Fadillah (Works Minister), and Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin (Education Minister).
Muhyiddin was appointed the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia on March 1, following a political turmoil which saw the resignation of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.—DayakDaily
