Mat Sabu adapts to role in Mindef
KUALA LUMPUR: “Challenging, being challenged and for me it is one of the most crucial places in a government” – that was the reaction of Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu when asked about his feelings on serving at the ministry.
Mohamad, or better known as Mat Sabu, said after more than three weeks, he is now adjusting to the new environment in the ministry and the role he should play as the defence minister.
“This Mindef (Defence Ministry) family is a family that is full of protocol, mostly during meetings with the sultan 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, and for me this is something new and challenging but I can, God willing, adapt myself in a short time,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama at Wisma Bernama recently.
Mohamad, along with 12 other Cabinet members, took their oaths of office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, at Istana Negara on May 21 following the victory of Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election.
Mohamad, who is also Parti Amanah Negara president, said despite the exacting task of helming a ministry that plays an important role in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the country, he was confident of executing it with the help of experienced officers in the ministry.
He said despite being known as a person with a sense of humour, he was serious when it came to any decisions being made pertaining to the ministry besides ensuring such decisions are implemented as soon as possible.
“When decisions are made at meetings, we have to be serious, firm and resolute on any decision taken. So those who know me well will know how to differentiate between a joke and a serious matter,” he said.