MIRI: Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs from Sarawak should be given due recognition with more cabinet posts.
Political pundit Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar said this is because Sarawak MPs contributed significantly to BN’s return to power on Sunday.
“They have won in the recent parliamentary election and their position should be given the recognition through promotions to higher posts in the federal cabinet,” he said yesterday.
He pointed out that the state BN contributed 25 out of Sarawak’s 31 parliamentary seats and should be shown some “appreciation”, calling for at least five ministers to be appointed from the state.
There were three full ministers from the state in the last federal cabinet — Datuk Seri Peter Chin (Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water), Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas (Minister of Natural Resources and Environment) and Senator Dato Sri Idris Jala (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department).
The state also had nine deputy ministers — Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (Information, Communication and Culture), Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (Rural and Regional Development), Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (Works), Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism), Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (International Trade and Industry), Jelaing Mersat (Transport), Datuk Fadillah Yusof (Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Tourism) and Datuk Richard Riot Jaem (Foreign Affairs).
Yong failed to retain the Stampin parliamentary seat, while Sagan and Jelaing were dropped.