KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (AsiaOne) - A sense of jubilation is prevailing in Sabah with the state having its highest ever representation in the federal Cabinet.
Some of the six Sabahans in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Cabinet were also appointed to portfolios considered strategic for the state like those overseeing water and energy, housing and local government as well as rural development.
Former Chief Minister Datuk Salleh Tun Said said these portfolios were close to the hearts of many Sabahans.
"The expectations among many Sabahans now are that these ministers should implement whatever projects earmarked for the state and for their views to be heard in the Cabinet," said Salleh.
With their bigger number in the Cabinet, he said Sabah ministers should now push for decentralisation, which would see funds for federal projects being channelled to the state government to ensure their effective and smooth implementation.
"The task of the various ministries will then be to monitor these projects," said Salleh, adding that it was crucial for the new Cabinet members to justify their appointments by properly carrying out their duties.
Federation of Sabah Manufacturers president Datuk Wong Ken Thau said having the biggest number of ministers from Sabah and Sarawak augured well for the development of these two states.
"These appointments should pave the way for both states to catch up with peninsular Malaysia in terms of development over the next five years," said Wong.
"If these two states cannot achieve significant progress with such a large representation in the Cabinet during that period, then we only have ourselves to blame."
On Wednesday, Najib had re-appointed Datuk Anifah Aman and Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal as the Foreign and Rural Development ministers, respectively.
He also moved Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili to the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and promoted Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Najib also brought in Datuk Rahman Dahalan as Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister as well as Datuk Ewon Ebin as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.
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