He viewed it as a real challenge to perform better than Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Annuar Musa who were the last two ministers to hold the portfolio.

Tengku Adnan was the minister from 2013-2018 during Najib Razak’s administration while Annuar held the post from 2020 under the Perikatan Nasional-led government.

Annuar has been moved to helm the communications and multimedia ministry now.

“I see both of them have done their best for the city folk.

“As they have set such high standards, I will make sure I can do better or at least live up to the standards that they have set,” the Arau MP told FMT.

To a question on whether he sees Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s new team as a “recycled cabinet”, Shahidan said the tenure of service should not be an issue.

Instead, he said, what matters most are the contributions that the upcoming ministers can make during these difficult times.

Meanwhile, Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar, who will be taking charge of the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry, described his appointment as a homecoming.

“I was holding the same portfolio during the administration of Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi).

“This is a responsibility that I will uphold, especially assisting businesses that have been affected by Covid-19,” he said.