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Monday November 9, 2009

Reshuffle in Sarawak Cabinet

By SHARON LING


KUCHING: Six new faces have been appointed to the state Cabinet as assistant ministers in a reshuffle announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday.

They include Abdul Wahab Aziz, who has been appointed assistant minister for rural development and housing and urban development, Datuk Talib Zulpilip (tourism) and Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (public health and public utilities).

All three are from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

The others are new assistant minister of environment Datuk Peter Nansian from the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), and John Sikie Tayai (rural district councils) and Mong Dagang (tourism and agriculture) from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Their appointments will take effect on Dec 1.

Taib said some of the new assistant ministers were given more than one portfolio to encourage them to be versatile and cultivate a wider interest beyond one ministry.

Speaking at a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here, he also announced several changes at ministerial level — Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan would take over the expanded tourism and heritage portfolio from Datuk Michael Manyin, who will take over infrastructure development and communication.

The modernisation of agriculture port­­­­­­­-folio, formerly held by Dr Chan, is handed to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

Meanwhile, the housing ministry has been expanded to include urban development and is still being held by Datuk Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg.

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