By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Nov 24: The Sarawak government’s push to increase the number of ministers is unjustified and contradicts its own policy of streamlining state-owned enterprises (SOEs), said Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen as he objected to the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Debating the Bill today, Chong said the government cannot, on one hand, call for consolidation of SOEs and expect civil servants to “do more with less”, while on the other hand seeking to enlarge the Cabinet.
He pointed out that the current administration has an affinity for the idea that “big is beautiful”.
“You have the biggest flag, the big White House (Sri Pertiwi), you want a bigger airport, a mega ART (Autonomous Rapid Transit) project, and now a bigger Cabinet,” he said.
However, Chong cautioned that “big is beautiful” comes with costs and expenses borne by the people.
“You want to streamline government agencies and reduce the number of employees or SOEs. But now you are asking to increase the number of ministers. These two policies contradict one another,” he added.
He argued that the government’s justification, that ministers are overworked, has no basis unless those holding the portfolios admit it themselves.
“Among the 10 ministers and the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg), who finds your workload overloaded or unmanageable? None of you have said so. It is only the backbenchers claiming you are overworked.”.
Chong added that if workload were truly the reason, the government should clarify whether the Premier’s dual roles as head of government and Minister of Finance would be separated to reduce the burden.
“The Premier undoubtedly carries the heaviest workload, and the second heaviest would be the Minister of Finance, which is also held by the Premier. If the Cabinet is expanded, will these two positions be separated to lighten the load?” he questioned.
Chong pointed to today’s announcement that State revenue may fall from a projected RM14 billion to RM12 billion due to global conditions, leading to a deficit.
With fluctuating revenues, he said, any expansion of the executive must be approached prudently.
Chong also challenged Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the Bill, to state the estimated cost of creating and maintaining one ministerial office.
“That is the minimum the rakyat deserve to know. How much it costs to maintain a minister, his perks, his officers and the office that comes with him,” said Chong.
He argued that effective governance depends not on increasing the number of ministers, but on ensuring the existing ones perform their duties properly, adding that the expansion neglects the role of deputy ministers.
He remarked that throughout the debate, it was as if the deputy ministers did not exist, especially when they were supposed to assist the ministers of their respective ministries.
In closing, Chong reiterated his objection.
“The key to effective administration is not increasing the number of ministers, but getting ministers to do their jobs properly. I will not support this amendment Bill,” he said. — DayakDaily
