Adenan reveals his captains
(The Borneo Post) – An expanded cabinet of 10 full ministers under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem is expected to take their oath of office today.
According to reliable sources, among the 10 ministers are Adenan himself, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
Three new faces expected to be included in the new cabinet line-up are SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.
It is speculated that Tan Sri William Mawan will be dropped from the cabinet because as Saratok MP, he is most likely to be appointed federal minister, replacing Uggah who is coming back to serve in the state, though in a different ministry.
Meanwhile, rumours have been rife that there will be three deputy chief ministers in the new cabinet line-up.
The three are Abang Johari, Masing and Uggah.
The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the swearing-in of ministers will take place at the new State Legislative Assembly Complex today at 3pm.
In the speculated new cabinet line-up, PBB leaders will have seven ministers while there will be only one representative from each of the remaining component parties – namely Masing, who is PRS president; Wong (SPDP based on the assumption that the merger of UPP and SPDP is successful); and Dr Sim (SUPP).
If the applications of six direct BN elected representatives; namely Mawan (Pakan), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu (Batu Danau), Miro Simuh (Serembu), Dato Gerawat Gala (Mulu) and John Ilus (Bukit Semuja) to join PBB were accepted by the party, that would also mean the party will be holding 46 out of 82 seats in the State Assembly enough to form the state government on its own.
The previous cabinet consisted of nine members including Adenan.
According to the state constitution, Sarawak is entitled to have 10 full ministers in addition to the post of chief minister.