Sabah, Sarawak folk want to see their reps in federal cabinet

first group of ministers appointed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is reassuring for Malaysians as they have a track record of being efficient and trustworthy.

Most of them have declared their assets to the prime minister upon their appointment as ministers, which further boosts the confidence of the people.

Dr Mahathir has said that more ministers would be announced soon.

The first batch did not include any from Sabah and Sarawak, but people understood that there would be representatives from both states.

For Sarawak, the hope is that Chong Chieng Jen and Baru Bian will become part of the cabinet.

These two have worked hard for equality and are staunch supporters of native rights.

Both have expressed their hope that the spat between Petronas and the Sarawak government will be solved amicably.

They have urged that Pakatan Harapan carry out its pledge soon to award 20 per cent from Petronas’ revenue to the state.

Sarawakians hope that new ministers from these two states aren’t just window dressing.

These representatives should look into how the new government can develop the two states to be on a par with those in the peninsula.

Sarawak and Sabah are underdeveloped despite 61 years of Barisan Nasional rule.