No reshuffle in ministerial line-up today aside from Abang Johari taking over Adenan’s portfolios
KUCHING: Amid speculations over the state cabinet reshuffle to be sworn in today, a reliable source told The Borneo Post yesterday there will be no change in the ministerial line-up.
According to a reliable source, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg would stick to the same cabinet that he inherited from Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“The cabinet will remain the same except that Abang Johari will take over the portfolios of Adenan. Abang Johari will neither appoint any new minister to fill up the deputy chief minister post, nor will he appoint any assistant minister to fill up his own ministerial posts.
“The reason for him not to promote anyone is because there is just too much lobbying going on. Furthermore, he wants his position within the party (Parti Bumiputera Pesaka Bersatu, PBB) to be very firm and established before he makes any major decision on cabinet reshuffle,” said the source.
Rumours have been rife that Abang Johari will take over all of Adenan’s portfolios of Resource and Planning and Finance which would entail the chief minister to give up the portfolios he is holding.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has been rumoured to take up Abang Johari’s former deputy chief minister post while maintaining the post of Second Resource and Planning Minister.
A local Chinese daily has also put forth the possibility that Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian might be elevated to be deputy chief minister in view of requests from the Chinese community.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has been speculated to be made full minister succeeding Abang Johari as Minister for Housing and Urbanisation.
However, according to the reliable source, no one would be promoted just yet.
“Abang Johari will take over Adenan’s posts and at the same time keep his present posts,” said the source.
On whether it would be too much for Abang Johari to hold five portfolios – Chief Minister, Finance Minister; Resource and Planning Minister; Tourism, Art and Culture Minister; and Housing and Urbanisation Minister, the source said it was possible because as chief minister, Abang Johari would have authority over all ministries.
“For the time being, I believe the cabinet will remain the same,” stressed the source.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing will not be present at the swearing-in as he is overseas and will not be able to make it for the ceremony today.