Cabinet: Muhyiddin establishes several specialised ministries

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 -- The new Cabinet formed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today saw the creation of a number of specialised ministries to meet the current needs.

It reflects the focus his new government administration will give on matters such as education, unity, the environment and issues relating to Sabah and Sarawak, among others.

Muhyiddin, among others, decided to re-establish the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) while maintaining and strengthening the Ministry of Education.

KPT will focus on the higher education sector while the Education Ministry to focus on pre-school as well as primary and secondary education.

Muhyiddin, who announced his Cabinet line-up in Putrajaya, has named  Parit Sulong MP Datuk Noraini Ahmad as Higher Education Minister while Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin appointed Senior Minister-Education Minister.

Muhyiddin also established a specific ministry - Ministry of Unity - to deal with unity issue and has named Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Halimah Mohamed Saddique to lead it. 

Another specific ministry is the Ministry of Environment that will be led by Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Besides that, Muhyiddin also created a specific portfolio - Sabah and Sarawak Affairs - under the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department  Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili. 

The creation of the portfolio indicates the government’s commitment to dealing with development issues in both states, as well as to ensure the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 is translated into policies and programmes that will benefit the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

-- BERNAMA