KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee says Sabahans still have high expectations of their leaders despite the drop in number of positions in the Cabinet line-up announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
Yong, who is Sabah Progressive Party president, said Sarawak had emerged “the biggest winner” as nine of its leaders had been appointed to the federal Cabinet.
“Sabah has fewer numbers, less power and less influence than in the last Cabinet,” he added.
However, he noted that two ministers and four deputy ministers had been appointed from the state, saying they are expected to deliver what rightfully belongs to Sabah.
“This includes delivering on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the 20% royalty on oil and gas, and infrastructure development.
“A lot depends on how the overall Cabinet and federal government fulfil the promises to Sabah,” he told FMT.
PBS president Maximus Ongkili was named minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak affairs while Ronald Kiandee of Sabah PPBM was appointed to the agriculture and agro-based industry.
Kudat MP Abdul Rahim Bakri of Umno, PBRS deputy president and Pensiangan MP Arthur Kurup, Ranau MP Jonathan Yassin and Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan meanwhile were appointed as deputy ministers.
Nine Gabungan Parti Sarawak leaders were also appointed to the Cabinet, comprising four ministers and five deputy ministers.
They are Fadillah Yusof, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Nancy Shukri, Hasbi Habibollah, Aaron Ago Dagang, Alexander Nanta Linggi, Hanifah Hajar Taib, Tiong King Sing, Henry Sum Agong.
Former PKR MPs Ali Biju and Willie Mongin, who had quit the party, were also appointed as deputy ministers in Muhyiddin’s new government.
When asked if Ongkili’s portfolio had been a good move in terms of ensuring the interests of the Bornean states, Yong said only time would tell.
“On the face of it, the portfolio gives focus to Sabah and Sarawak, which the prime minister announced in the context of MA63,” he said.
“But whether it is a good move for Sabah will depend on the results.”
On whether Kitingan should have been given a more significant role to fight for Sabah’s interests at the federal level, he said the Keningau MP would work on MA63 and Sabah’s rights “wherever he is”. - FMT
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