KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof’s retention as a deputy prime minister in the new federal Cabinet line-up comes as no surprise.
By all accounts it reflects the respect accorded to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and its support for the federal government.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said the deputy prime minister post or “quota” for Sarawak was an understanding that had been reached during the formation of the unity government one year ago.
“Retaining Fadillah (as a deputy prime minister) shows that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continues to respect the understanding,” he said.
The restructuring of the federal cabinet, he opined, was done carefully where discussions had been held with all leaders in the unity government.
The changes, including splitting two former ministries into four new ministries as well as appointing some new ministers are necessary to strengthen the administrative governance.
With Sarawak taking the lead in tackling climate change by tapping into hydropower and producing green hydrogen; this makes Fadillah a suitable candidate to helm the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry.
“So, I believe Fadillah’s appointment to lead the new ministry (Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry) – is somehow related to Sarawak GPS government’s efforts and policy to promote green energy,” he said.
“We know that the earth’s oil and gas will run out one day, so the country needs to start exploring a new, reliable, safe and competitively priced power,” he added.
Fadillah, who will also be in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, is expected to facilitate and speed up the process to return more autonomy rights to the both states; listed under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Meanwhile, Dr Arnold Puyok of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said the strong support from GPS is crucial for the unity government, thus, all the GPS MPs who were appointed as ministers and deputy ministers in the previous cabinet – have retained their posts.
“Fadillah remains the deputy prime minister and now he is also in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs; which should be able to exert some influence on the way the affairs of the two states are managed,” he added.
Other than that, Arnold said, it is status quo for Sarawak with minimal impacts despite the reshuffle of the federal cabinet earlier Tuesday.
