• Mawan (left) being interviewed by reporters.

“Instead of one previously, now we have two Deputy Ministers in the Federal Cabinet,” he said yesterday when commenting on the appointment of the Member of Parliament for Baram, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan as Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry and  the appointment of the Member of Parliament for Saratok, Jelaing Mersat as the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs on Tuesday.  

Mawan, who is also the state’s Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation, was met by reporters after officiating at the closing of “Strengthening Children Protection Team Seminar” at Holiday Inn here yesterday. 

Mawan said with the appointment of Jacob and Jelaing,   SPDP now had two Deputy Ministers, four Members of Parliament and one Senator. 

According to him, what is also good this time around is  the additional Federal Cabinet post that SPDP has. 
Mawan added that Jacob’s appointment reflected the care and concern of the Prime Minister for the indigenous rural communities in the state.   

“I guess this augurs well for the future. As far as we are concerned, SPDP is very grateful and the appointment reflects the confidence that he (the Prime Minister) has in us. We are looking forward to play our role and contribute along with the other component parties.  

“But there again, we don’t expect him to be able to please all the component parties or to please ourselves. But as far as the process of consolidating Barisan Nasional and making it strong is involved, we all support it.

“I guess this is the time we consolidate and rally behind our leaders. There is no point for one party to be strong if the Barisan Nasional is weak. Barisan Nasional must be strong so if any component party is in trouble, we can still rely on BN,” the Minister added.

On Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, who had been dropped from the new Federal Cabinet line-up, Mawan said there were many people who had not been in that ministerial position for two terms. 

“Jacob, being a senior vice president of the party has never been in the Cabinet and he represents the Orang Ulu and the indigenous communities in northern region of Sarawak. It is a matter of give and take and giving way to each other. 

“Maybe, later on in the future, when opportunities arise and when chances present themselves, probably he (Dr Tiki) will be serving in a higher or different capacity. He is an experienced man and a good leader but you can’t just monopolise things. Let’s be positive about it,” Mawan said.

On the appointment of Jelaing Mersat as a Federal Deputy Minister, Mawan said: “He was appointed because I submitted more than one names and I leave it to the discretion of the PM. 

The appointment is his prerogative. “Tiong’s name (Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, Member of Parliament for Bintulu) was also put up.”