There should be more from Sabah in new Cabinet, says association chairman

KOTA KINABALU: There should be more ministers and deputies from Sabah in the new Cabinet, says Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri T.C Goh.

He said that Sabah used to have two ministers and six deputies prior to the cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (Dec 12), adding that the number of deputy ministers has now been reduced to five.

“Sabah has a good number of qualified candidates and should have more policymakers appointed in the new line-up, instead of having their number reduced,” he added.

Goh said that FCAS feels that in comparison to neighbouring Sarawak, there should be more policymakers from Sabah appointed to the new Cabinet line-up instead of having their number reduced.

There are currently two Sabah ministers, the same as before the reshuffle.

He added that Sarawak not only retained a deputy prime minister’s post, but also maintained the previous number of ministers and deputies in the Federal Cabinet.

Goh then said that as a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), he welcomes the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to helm the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry.

This portfolio has been split from the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC).

Additionally, Fadillah is also in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs.

On the new Cabinet, Goh said that he also welcomes the appointment of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Amirzan Mohd Ali as the new Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.

He said that Amirzan’s appointment is fitting as he was holding the portfolio since the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub last July.

Armizan had previously also held the portfolio of Sabah, Sarawak Affairs, and Special Functions.

“We hope that besides paying attention to rising prices of goods in the country, he (Amirzan) could also strive to help address the spiralling cost of living in Sabah,” said Goh.

The other Sabah minister is Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.

Goh then added that the creation of three new ministries has increased the number of ministries from 28 previously to 31 and the number of ministers and deputies from 55 to 60 with a total of 10 new faces in the form of five ministers and five deputies.