MIRI, Aug 23: Newly appointed Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin is confident that his SUPP counterpart Datuk Sebastian Ting will do well in his new role as Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Lee who was the previous tourism assistant minister before the Cabinet reshuffle announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday, said the SUPP secretary-general has the capability to continue his work and maintain its continuity.
“I will help whatever I can to assist Datuk Sebastian Ting. There will be lots of collaboration between us for the future betterment of Sarawak,” he told reporters upon his arrival at Miri Airport around 3.15pm, today.
Lee, who is also SUPP vice-president and Senadin assemblyman, said he was excited at the appointment of the Piasau assemblyman as his successor. Both their constituencies are located in the Miri Division.
On his new post as the Minister of Transport, Lee acknowledged the heavier responsibility and pledged to do better in serving the state and people of Miri in particular.
“I hope to improve transportation and bring more progress to Sarawak and Miri, in line with our Chief Minister’s vision to have more efficient transportation system,” he said.
Lee proceeded to Tudan Watch Tower to check on the latest haze situation in Miri, where he spent some 30 minutes listening to a briefing by Miri Fire and Rescue Department.
Yesterday, two primary schools namely SK Kuala Baram 2 and SJK Chung Hua Tudan were forced to closed due to the unhealthy air pollutant index (API) reading exceeding 400.
“Coordinating various agencies in tackling peat soil fires in Miri will be my first priority as the new Transport Minister,” he said.
Abang Johari, when announcing the new state Cabinet line-up at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Kuching, named deputy chief minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as Second Finance Minister replacing Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
Deputy chief minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan however, took over Wong’s previous International Trade and eCommerce portfolio.
The Transport Minister is a new portfolio in the state Cabinet lead by Lee, while partyless Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil is assistant minister. — DayakDaily
