By Lian Cheng and Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Feb 16: Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will continue to hold dual portfolios of Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts as well as Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development despite failure to defend his vice-presidential post within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bumiputera wing.
PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg gave the assurance, stressing that there would be no Cabinet reshuffle.
He said it was his prerogative to decide who should be in the Cabinet, and Abdul Karim’s defeat in the party’s vice-presidential contest would not affect the latter’s position in the Sarawak Cabinet.
“There is no reshuffle. (The vice-presidential contest) has nothing to do with reshuffling (of the Cabinet). He (Abdul Karim) will go on, go on as usual,” said Abang Johari, who is also Premier of Sarawak, when met by the media after the conclusion of the 16th PBB Triennial Delegates’ Conference held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.
Abang Johari assured that all those who were involved in the contest in the just concluded party election, both winners and losers, would continue to be part of PBB.
“All are included as part of PBB, meaning no one totally loses, no one wins all. Those losing today are still part of the PBB team,” said Abang Johari.
Abang Johari was commenting on Abdul Karim, who, after failing to defend his vice presidential post in the Bumiputera wing, expressed willingness to step down as a Cabinet minister should Abang Johari wish it.
Putting the party’s interest first, Abdul Karim pointed out that the decision was to not “make things difficult” for Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
