‘New cabinet line-up shows BN not appreciating Chinese support’
KUCHING: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong yesterday said the new state cabinet line- up ref lected a lack of Barisan Nasional ( BN)’s appreciation for the increasing Chinese votes in the last state election.
She even termed the Chinese community as ‘ the biggest loser as they are still being sidelined by BN’, following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
“We are disappointed with this unfair treatment by the BN government. It shows that despite the increasing support from the Chinese to BN, they still do not get what they want,” she said when prompted for comments on the state cabinet line-up unveiled last Saturday.
Yong wondered why the chief minister had to rename almost all the ministries which she said ‘are very messy’.
“I do not see the reason to rename those ministries, especially after we have familiarised ( ourselves) with them. Furthermore, it’s kind of duplicating if you study them.
“Does it mean that ( Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James) Masing cannot perform that the chief minister has to take over the portfolio of Kuching Urban Public Transport (including LRT)? Why slice off the portfolio from Masing?
“And does it mean that ( Datuk Seri Dr Stephen) Rundi ( Utom) is now taking care of only the rural (areas)?
“The chief minister also holds the Energy Development portfolio. I don’t even know who to approach now. So they have to explain,” she lamented.
She further questioned why Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a lawyer by profession, was appointed the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
She opined that Abdul Karim would be capable of handling the Local Government and Housing Ministry, which was given to Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“Housing includes a lot of laws and you put a doctor to handle something that concerns the law. No doubt that people say they can learn, but isn’t it a waste of time, manpower and resources?
“A lot of ( housing) issues are yet to be dealt with properly and now you are putting someone who is not appropriate there,” stressed Yong.
She said the chief minister should not be assigning a leader who is approaching retirement to look after the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research.
“( Dato Sri Michael) Manyin is almost retired already. I think ( Datuk) Fatimah (Abdullah) should be handling that portfolio. ( Chief Minister Datuk Amar) Abang Johari ( Tun Openg) messed up his cabinet.”
She also wondered how Abang Johari could work ‘efficiently and diligently after putting on so many caps on himself’.
“He should have more confidence in his team instead of pulling the hand- brake which may hamper his running,” added Yong.
Following the cabinet reshuffle, Abang Johari is taking charge of two ministries – Finance and Economic Planning, and Urban Development and Natural Resources; as well as five other portfolios – Energy Development, Oil and Gas, Digital Economy and Telecommunications, Kuching Urban Public Transport (including LRT) and Financial Modelling.