Gerawat (middle) and wife Datin Esther Balan (right) with Political Secretary to the
Chief Minister, Kijan Toynbee after the swearing-in ceremony at the DUN’s lobby.
KUCHING: Yesterday’s swearing-in of assistant ministers saw Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn vacate his post of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) deputy speaker to become one of 18 assistant ministers.
Taking over from Sagah is Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, the first Orang Ulu to become a DUN deputy speaker.
Sagah, now into his fifth term as Tarat assemblyman, said he was thankful to the Chief Minister for having confidence in him as an assistant minister.
“I also thank all the people in my constituency (Tarat) for giving me very strong support to enable me to get back to the state assembly (during polling day on May 7).
“I’ll try my best to serve to the best of my ability the people of Sarawak. With this new appointment, I will be in a better position in terms of allocation,” he said when met by the media after the swearing-in ceremony at the DUN’s Dewan Lapau.
Sagah, who is PBB supreme council member and a lawyer by profession, has been DUN deputy speaker since 2011.
He retained Tarat seat by an increased majority this time, defeating Musa Ngog from PKR in a straight fight by a 5,421 majority from a 1,995 majority in 2011.
His successor Dato Gerawat Gala described the appointment as a great honour and responsibility.
Gerawat, who won the newly created Mulu seat as a direct BN candidate. said he had not expected to be appointed deputy speaker for the DUN.
“Having been given this responsibility, there is a lot for me to learn and I will do my best. Thank you to the leadership for trusting me and giving me the confidence to take up this responsibility.
“I believe that with God’s help, I will do a good job,” he said when met after the swearing-in.
A lawyer by profession, Gerawat said he might have to relinquish his post as Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia (Forum) president to focus on this new responsibility.
The first-term assemblyman won Mulu seat by a majority of 1,708 votes in a four-cornered fight.