PAS Bintulu

Sarawak PAS Youth would like to congratulate Sarawak’s new cabinet which was recently announced by Chief Minister (CM), Pehin Sri Hj. Abdul Taib Mahmud last Tuesday. This efficient move is indeed commendable in order to ensure a smooth post-election transition and thus, an effective state administration. We also hope that the newly-appointed ministers will be able to play their role as leaders of the people with uprightness and integrity.

At the same time, Sarawak PAS Youth also views this new cabinet with a hint of cynicism. As we are all aware from the announcement, it is clear that Sarawak BN is indeed in deficit of young, talented leaders. In light of all the mega-development initiatives as declared, there is an urgent need for Sarawak’s youth population to be involved with the state development programmes at all levels, not only at the bottom receiving end, but more importantly, at the state leadership level. Their fresh views and vibrant approaches are pivotal to make the success of the projects, a reality. In fact, this ‘cabinet of oldies’ is a vivid sign from BN Sarawak that it does not care and does not appreciate the importance of young Sarawakians in developing the state. In contrast, Sarawak BN seems to be more interested in retaining the domination of the few notoriously self-centred politicians simply to ensure that the various cases of corruption and abuse of power that have tainted their rather long reign in the state, could be silenced and concealed. It is even inexcessive to say here that, Sarawak’s new cabinet is indeed a ‘puppet’ cabinet manned by those who are loyalists and ‘yes men’ to the current CM. And indeed, this is a tragic loss to the state and to the people of Sarawak as a whole.

Sarawak PAS Youth also opines that CM’s subsequent statement which says he is not yet ready to reshuffle his cabinet is another omen that his promise to resign after the state election is nothing more than a cheap political gimmick. We are very disappointed with CM’s antiquated political game which is very much Machiavellian and self-centred at the expense of giving the opportunity for new leaders within Sarawak BN to further flourish in service of the state. For us in PAS Youth, we are confident that this is in actuality, the reflection of BN’s fear and panic towards the highly credible, PR Shadow Cabinet which also consists of many talented, young Sarawakian professionals.