CM tweaks cabinet, Uggah second Finance Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah has been appointed the new Second Finance Minister in a minor cabinet reshuffle announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday.
He fills the vacancy left by Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who had announced his resignation as Second Finance Minister as well as International Trade and E-Commerce Minister on July 15.
In a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday, the chief minister also announced that the International Trade and E-Commerce Ministry has been merged with the Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Ministry helmed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The new ministry is now known as the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development.
Abang Johari said the changes were with immediate effect, while stressing that the reshuffle reflected the state’s focus on trading, including imports and exports; oil and gas; agriculture; urban renewal and transportation; and tourism development.
The new cabinet lineup also saw a new face, with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting appointed as Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture – taking over from Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Lee is now Minister of Transport, and assisted by Datuk Dr Jerip Susil who retains his post despite not being a member of any Gabungan Parti Sarawak component party.
Transportation was formerly under the purview of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation headed by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, which has now been changed to Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development.
Touching on the changes, Abang Johari said the new Ministry of Transport is to look into the development of transportation, particularly in urban areas, including the previously announced Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, so as to ensure that the transport system in Sarawak will be well managed.
He said Sarawak is also to focus on enhancing port facilities to facilitate import and export activities in the state, pointing out that ports and harbours come under the purview of the state.
Another change involved the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports helmed by Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, which was ‘split’ into two ministries – Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Abdul Karim remains the minister of both ministries.
Separately, Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol is now tasked with looking after the government’s Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).