Tupong rep: State Cabinet appointments made within the purview of the law

Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (file photo)

KUCHING, Jan 3: All the appointments made in the State Cabinet are within the purview of the law, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth deputy chief Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.

According to Fazzrudin, Article 6(3) of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak stated that no more than 10 ministers can be appointed from among the members of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

“With the creation of new ministries to serve the public better, it is only expected that there will be several full ministers who will lead more than one ministry. Among them is the chief minister himself.

“I implore Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who is a lawyer by training, to refer to the Constitution of the State of Sarawak rather than make baseless statements and rhetorics on the issue,” he said in a statement today.

Fazzrudin was rebutting Chong’s statement yesterday, questioning whether Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s new Cabinet is inefficient compared to the federal Cabinet or to reward Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives at the expense of public funds.

Fazzrudin, who is also Tupong assemblyman, pointed out that there is no limit to the number of assistant ministers to be appointed under the Constitution of the State of Sarawak.

“With the increased number of Ministries, there is also bound to be an increase in the number of assistant ministers,” he added.

Fazzrudin said he is confident that the new State government led by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will fulfil the promises made in the 34-point manifesto during the State election.

He also said in the last term, the chief minister has introduced over 100 initiatives benefiting the people in Sarawak to ensure the welfare of Sarawakians, develop the state’s economy as well as fight for the return of State rights.

“At the same time, under his leadership, more emphasis has been put into rural development through the introduction of regional development agencies along with providing basic infrastructures such as electricity, treated water, roads, and bridges,” he reiterated. ― DayakDaily