“I am appointing nine full ministers, including three deputy chief ministers.
“We have increased the state constituencies from 72 to 82 and this certainly justifies the need to have the numbers,” he told a packed media conference at the state legislative assembly building here to announce their names and respective portfolios.
The nine had earlier attended a swearing-in ceremony before Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The three deputy chief ministers (DCMs) are Douglas Unggah Embas, who is also appointed as State Agriculture Modernisation and Rural Economy Minister, Dr James Jemut Masing, also appointed as State Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister, and Abang Johari Openg who will hold two portfolios, as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister as well as Housing and Urbanisation Minister.
Masing is also the president of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), which had delivered all its 11 seats, while Abang Johari is the deputy president of the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“I could actually do with more ministers as the responsibilities of the government are expanding, but what I have with me for the moment are sufficient.
“We will have to go to the state legislative assembly to amend the state Constitution if we want to increase the number.”
On the appointment of the assistant ministers, he said this would be done in due time after he had studied and done some adjustments.
Replying to a question, Adenan said he would have appointed a Chinese deputy chief minister had the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) delivered all its 13 seats.
The party managed to win seven and its president, Dr Sim Kui Hian, had been appointed as Minister of Local Government.
Elaborating, he said he had never promised he would appoint a Chinese deputy chief minister as reported in the social media, but merely said he would appoint ministers to represent the community.
He added he had also another Chinese assemblyman, Dr Wong Soon Koh, as Second Minister of Finance.
Adenan described his team as a “very strong line-up” and with ministers capable and willing to serve the people and who have proven they had and can still do so.
He added within the next five years, the government’s main priority would be on rural transformation.
“Now is the time to walk the talk, to fulfil the promises made.”
He also said he would pursue the oil and gas royalty issue with the Federal Government when the world prices had gone up.
“No, we have not forgotten this issue. If the Federal Government forgets, we will keep on reminding them,” he said in a jest.
Meanwhile, Adenan also confirmed the six direct BN candidates had applied to join the PBB.
“It is difficult to reject when people want to join you, who think along the same line. But we have ask them to hold on first before we make the decision.”
– BERNAMA