Five from Sabah in new Cabinet

Three full and two deputy ministers are from Warisan

PETALING JAYA: In the Cabinet, Sabah has three full and two deputy ministers, all five from Parti Warisan Sabah.

They are International Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Darell Leiking, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Liew Vui Keong.

The two Deputy Ministers are Sepanggar MP Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman for the Home Ministry and Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis in the Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry.

Leiking said his ministry was open to both the Opposition and the government for questioning and comment, especially in Parliament.

The twoterm Penampang MP and Warisan deputy president said he would be fair and accountable in looking into whatever the Opposition raised about Miti.

“This is to ensure that the government can best balance the trade and bilateral ties with other nations,” Leiking told The Star in an interview.

His first move would be to deliberate whether the policies and planning that was previously done by Miti were beneficial to the nation.

“We need to redistribute the ben efits and multipliers of economy and trade more equitably all over the nation.

“Besides ensuring positive bilateral ties and solving direct disputes, we also want Malaysians to benefit as we move into being a strong economy,” said Leiking.

Leiking said while Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had the vision to reignite and troubleshoot the economy, he would try and complement the Prime Minister’s effort by bringing in positive trade and industry for the nation.

“As a Sabahan, it is an honour to serve the new government that proposes a Malaysia baru,” he said.

Mohamaddin, a seasoned politician who first became Lahad Datu assemblyman in 1986, wants his ministry to attract more foreign investments for tourism projects in the country.

“What I’d do differently is to attract more foreign investors to build up high quality, international standard establishments that could give us more tourism receipts.

“The impact of marketing is bigger when you have highlevel names or brands here. I will get more investors to come in so we can further develop highstandard tourism,” said the Silam MP.

Mohamaddin also said he wanted to help boost inbound tourism activities for Sabah as it had a lot of pull factors but lacked international promotion.