State BN to propose names for cabinet
KUCHING: The state Barisan Nasional(BN)isexpectedtopropose several names for inclusion in the new federal cabinet line-up to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said the party had come up with a list of candidates to be proposed to Najib who is also the national BN chairman.
“Of course, I will definitely suggest a few names from PRS. In fact, I already have someone in mind as we speak but it is not for public consumption. I can’t reveal the list yet, not until we have a meeting with the prime minister within these next few days,” Masing, who is also Land Development Minister, said when contacted yesterday.
PRS has two deputy ministers in the last cabinet - Selangau MP Datuk Joseph Entulu ( Rural and Regional Development Ministry) and Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang ( Information, Communications, Arts and Culture Ministry).
Masing hoped that PRS would be allocated a full ministerial post this time following its success in the just concluded election.
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan, had suggested during a dinner in Bau on May 2 that Anthony Nogeh be appointed deputy minister of youth and sports if he won the Mas Gading seat. He also hoped that Anyi Ngau would be appointed a deputy minister if he won the Baram seat.
There was also a possibility that four-term Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is the BN backbencher chairman, be given a full ministerial post.
SPDP was also allocated two deputy minister posts in the previous cabinet, namely Transport Ministry and Ministry of International Trade and Industry in the person of Jelaing Mersat and Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan – both were dropped from defending their respective Saratok and Baram seat.
Another post namely the National Service Training Council chairman which is being held by former Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is said being reviewed by the Home Ministry following his decision to contest against BN.
Both PRS and SPDP recorded 100 per cent win in the Sunday polls. PRS triumphed in Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau, Hulu Rajang and Selangau while SPDP successfully defended Mas Gading, Saratok, Baram and Bintulu.
Meanwhile, SUPP president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said the party would leave it to the prime minister to decide on the federal cabinet post for its sole MP Datuk Richard Riot who won in Serian.
Riot, who was deputy foreign minister in the last cabinet, garnered 19,494 votes to beat Edward Andrew Luwak of DAP who managed 6,343 votes and State Reform Party ( STAR) candidate Johnny Aput (390 votes). Riot won by a 13,151-vote majority.
SUPP suffered heavily in the just concluded election having lost in six out of seven seats contested.
It lost Stampin, Sarikei, Lanang and Miri, while failing to wrest Bandar Kuching and Sibu from DAP.