Onus on new Cabinet to get momentum going

KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s new Cabinet is expected to be result driven going forward so as to face challenges from next year onwards.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth Chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the reshuffle announced on Tuesday was necessary as the momentum over the last one year of the Madani government had been rather lacklustre in comparison to the rhetoric earlier.

He said this could be due to extra careful manoeuvres taken by the Madani government to scrutinise possible ‘insider political intrigue’ by the rival Perikatan Nasional (PN) to take over the government by August.

“However, recently the Prime Minister said ‘our roof is made of concrete’ and in Putrajaya now, there is no political manoeuvring.

“So for now, it is safe to leave behind that purported intrigue and move forward with dynamism.The sentiment of takeovers has now diminished,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.

On Sarawak, Snowdan, who is also Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said the cabinet reshuffle saw the state being upgraded with Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof now leading a new Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities.

He said the rest saw Sarawak MPs keeping the status quo except for Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong of PRS who is now Deputy Minister in the Digital Ministry.

“This is a recognition to Sarawak spearheading this industry especially in renewable energy, carbon trading and green technology as portrayed by our Premier. In this field, Sarawak leads.

“As for utilities, it is a boom for Sarawak in view of its critical need for treated water supply and rural electrification,” he added.

Besides the new ministerial post, Fadillah also oversees Sabah and Sarawak affairs, taking over from Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Snowdan said this will enhance the progress of Sarawak along with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) agenda which is also headed by Fadillah.