PBB has the bigger slice of the cake but SPDP reduced to bystanders

KUCHING: There are highs and lows for Sarawak in the new Federal Cabinet line-up which, when taken as a whole, however, is still indicative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s view of the state’s contri- bution to Barisan Nasional’s victory in the recent polls.

There is indeed a very significant increase in the number of full ministers from Sarawak but it has come at the expense of the number of deputy ministers.

There are now seven full ministers and four deputy ministers compared to three full ministers and eight deputy ministers in the previous cabinet.

The state Barisan Nasional party that has gained the most in the new line-up is PBB but that is not surprising considering that the party delivered a clean sweep of all its 14 seats in the general election.

From one full minister post in the previous cabinet, PBB now has four — Nancy Shukri (Prime Minister’s Department), Datuk Fadillah Yusof (Works), Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Women, Family and Community Development) and Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas (Plantation Industries and Commodities).

Its deputy ministers are Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Home Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos (Natural Resources and Environment) and Alexander Nanta Linggi (Rural and Regional Development).

What is surprising is that SPDP, which also won with a clean sweep of four seats in the polls, was not given a single post; while SUPP’s sole survivor in the election, Datuk Richard Riot, was made a full minister. The Serian MP has been appointed Human Resources Minister.

Riot is the first Bidayuh to be appointed full minister and his ascension is certainly the envy of some of his colleagues in Barisan Nasional.

Although the appointment of ministers is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan would have some explaining to do.

It is unclear who Mawan had recom- mended to be included in the Federal Cabinet but during the campaign period, Mawan had told the Mas Gading electorate that he would put up new face Anthony Nogeh if the latter won.

Nogeh won and Mas Gading voters certainly will be asking Mawan questions.

Last week there were also speculations that SPDP treasurer Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing could be appointed to the Federal Cabinet due to the small number of Barisan Nasional Chinese elected representatives from whom Najib could choose. In fact, Tiong is the only Chinese MP from Sarawak. Apparently, this also did not pan out.

From two deputy ministers in the previous Cabinet, SPDP now has zero and it would be interesting to see how the party comes to term with the Prime Minister’s decision in the days to come.

Over in PRS, which also exceeded expectations in the general election, its deputy president Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun was promoted to full minister as one of the eight Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department, while Salang was made to retain his post as Deputy Minister in the reorganised Tourism and Culture Ministry. The Julau MP, however, has rejected his appointment, saying he might as well spend time with his family.

Senator Datuk Idris Jala also retains his post as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.