Up to Abg Johari to appoint next Second Finance Minister – Dr Sim

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Dr Sim (front, eighth left) and Wee (front, ninth left) in a photocall with the federation committee members after the signing of pledge by Wee to carry out his post as president of the federation dutifully.

KUCHING: SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian leaves it to the wisdom of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to decide who will be the Second Finance Minister once the post falls vacant.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing was, however, tight-lipped on whether the candidate for the post should be from his party.

“I place my trust completely on our chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s prerogative to choose the most suitable and capable candidate to helm the (Second Finance Minister) post,” he said during the installation ceremony of new committee members of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions on Saturday night.

Recently, Abang Johari confirmed Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s resignation from his cabinet posts as Second Finance Minister and Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce.

Wong, who is PSB president, made the decision to resign after his party leaders were excluded from the latest councillors’ list. He had also alleged that GPS coalition parties had turned hostile toward his party.

On a separate matter, Dr Sim said the final list of more than 700 councillors for the 24 local councils throughout Sarawak had been approved by the State Cabinet and submitted to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for endorsement.

Meanwhile, during the ceremony, Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Dato Richard Wee praised the federation for fighting for the rights of the Chinese community and conveyed wishes of the Chinese community to the state government.

He hoped that members would be able to take part in activities that involved the participation of the diverse races in the state in order to strengthen the ties among one another.

“This is the unique characteristic of Sarawak, being a melting pot of various cultures, faiths and traditions. We have to ensure the next generation would be able to enjoy such peaceful society in the future,” said Wee.

Wee also said he had accepted the nomination by the federation to contest the presidential post of Chinese Associations of Sarawak.