Mat Sabu adjusts to new job

KUALA LUMPUR: “Challenging, being challenged and for me it is one of the most crucial places in a government.”

That was the reaction of Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu when asked about his feelings serving the ministry.

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said that after more than three weeks, he was now adjusting to his new job.

“This Mindef (Defence Ministry) family is a family that is full of protocol, mostly during meetings with the sultan and royal heads of state who are patrons of a particular branch of service in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

“So as a commoner, I now have to adhere to protocol, especially regarding my attire and other matters and for me, this is something new and challenging, but I can, God willing, adapt myself in a short time,” he said recently.

Mohamad, who is also Parti Amanah Negara president, said despite the exacting task of helming a ministry, he was confident of doing his job well with the help of experienced officers.

He said although he liked to joke, he took any decisions made at the ministry seriously.

“We have to be firm and resolute about these decisions. So those who know me well will know how to differentiate which one is a joke and which one is serious.”

Asked whether he knew he would be appointed defence minister, Mohamad said he had expected to be appointed home minister and had received many congratulatory messages from friends. However, he said, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that he would serve as defence minister while Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was named as home minister.

On his family life following his appointment, Mohamad said it did not change much but his new job demanded that he had to leave home early and return home late at night.