KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has described the new Federal Cabinet under prime minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as an action-oriented team capable of effectively dealing with the economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The people have high expectations on them and hopefully with this new team, we can now focus on efforts to address the COVD-19 pandemic and economic recovery,” he said today.
“Congratulations and I wish them (Federal Cabinet) well in discharging their duties,” he said.
In his highly anticipated announcement earlier today, Ismail Sabri named two full ministers and four deputy ministers from Sabah.
The two full ministers are Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Ronald Kiandee, both retaining the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries posts, respectively.
The reappointment of Dr Maximus and Ronald Kiandee to their previous positions would allow them to continue what they have set out and planned to do.
Hajiji said the State government would be working very closely with Maximus in pursuing all matters pertaining to State rights as enshrined in pre-independence documents such as the IGC report and MA63.
Hajiji also said that Kiandee’s portfolio is crucial to help the State government achieve its Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development plan of which agriculture is a key component.
Ismail Sabri appointed four deputy ministers from Sabah namely Jonathan Yassin (Deputy Home Minister II), Arthur Joseph Kurup (Deputy Works Minister II) as well as two new faces, Yamani Hafez Musa who was appointed Deputy Finance Minister II and Datuk Mohamad Alamin as Deputy Education Minister II.
“Although Yamani Hafez and Mohamed Alamin are new, I am confident with their ability and capability to succeed and in their respective duties,” he said.
