Mat Sabu takes things in his stride
Defence Minister adjusting to new environment and the role he should play
KUALA LUMPUR: The goodnatured Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu is taking things in his stride.
To cope with the requirements of his new job, he and his family will soon move from their home in Shah Alam to a residence being provided by the Federal Government.
“I will move to a government house located around Bukit Persekutuan, an old house that some people dubbed as Dracula House,” he said with a laugh.
In an interview with Bernama, Mohamad better known as Mat Sabu, described his Cabinet portfolio as challenging.
However, after more than three weeks, he is adjusting to the new environment in the ministry and the role he should play as the minister.
Mohamad, along with 12 other Cabinet members took their oath of office at Istana Negara on May 21 following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th General Election.
“This Mindef (Defence Ministry) family is a family that is full of protocol, mostly during meetings with sultans and royal heads of state who are patrons of a particular branch of service in the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“So, as a regular person I now have to adhere to protocol, especially regarding my attire and other matters.
“This is something new and challenging for me but I can adapt
myself in a short time,” he said.
Mohamad, who is Parti Amanah Negara president, said that despite the exacting task of helming a ministry that played an important role in safeguarding the security and
sovereignty of the country, he was confident of executing his duty with the help of experienced ministry officers.
Although he is known as a person with a sense of humour, he said
he took seriously any decision being made pertaining to the ministry besides ensuring such decisions were being implemented as soon as possible.
“When decisions are made at our meetings, we have to be serious and any decisions being taken, we have to be firm and resolute about these decisions.
“So those who know me well will know how to differentiate which one is a joke and which one is serious,” he said.
Asked whether he knew he would be appointed as Defence Minister, Mohamad said initially he was expected to be appointed as Home Minister and had received many congratulatory messages from his friends.
However, he said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad later announced that he was appointed as Defence Minister while Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was named Home Minister.
On his family life following his appointment as minister, Mohamad said it did not change much but the demands of his new job meant that he had to leave home early and return home late at night.
“Sometimes I feel that at my age, I should have retired, but at the age of over 60 I have only started working, so my children are also making jokes and teasing me about it,” he said.
“Of course, I feel a bit tired but to admit being tired at 60 is out of the question because my boss, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at the age of 93 is still working.
“So Tun is motivating me to continue working.”