Speaking to FMT, political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir said Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi was expected to be promoted in yesterday’s Cabinet reshuffle.
This was especially so following the resignation of former Plantations and Commodities Minister Douglas Uggah Embas.
This, however, did not happen.
“We were expecting Alexander to move up even before the recent state election. But instead they gave full ministerial posts to Umno loyalists.
“I believe this is the prime minister’s strategy in facing the next general election (GE). However, he is sending a wrong message not only to PBB, but also to the voters in Sarawak.
“The message is that the Federal Government does not recognise PBB’s performance in the state election,” said Jeniri, an Associate Professor at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
Without Alexander’s promotion, PBB was left with only four full ministers instead of the original five.
According to another analyst, Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, the fact that Sarawak already has four PBB representatives in the Cabinet, added with two more from the state’s local parties, may have led Najib into believing that Alexander’s exclusion may not be such a big deal.
The four representing PBB are Works Minister Fadillah Yusof, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Karim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The other two come from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Human Resources Minister Richard Riot, and Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Despite the numbers, the slashing of even one post may upset Sarawak voters, especially those rooting for the experienced and loyal Alexander
“Sarawakians are not happy and are very angry. I spoke to some of my Iban friends in Sarawak and in under an hour after the new Cabinet line-up was announced, the sentiment on the ground was that they are dissatisfied with it.
“They felt as if they are Barisan Nasional’s fixed deposit in the state, but one that is not being rewarded properly.”
The Universiti Malaya lecturer also echoed Jeniri’s view, saying the new line-up appeared to centre around Umno loyalists, who are expected to renew their strong support towards the party following their new roles.
“The new Cabinet is clearly geared up towards the next GE. This may be due to the recent twin by-elections results, which showed that Umno has a strong chance at remaining in power.”
He, however, opined that despite the dissatisfaction among Sarawak voters, no major effect will ever be seen as the majority of those in the state are not politically aware or concerned over such matters.
“The political culture there is still very traditional, mostly revolving around bread and butter issues rather than federal Cabinet positions.
“Those who are dissatisfied come from the middle class, educated and professional groups, which unfortunately are still the minority.
“But the majority who live in the rural areas don’t care about who makes it into the Cabinet as long as it does not disrupt their daily lives.”