KUCHING: The stakes are high in the parliamentary elections for Barisan Nasional candidates Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who is contesting in Stampin, and Datuk Fadillah Yusof in Petra Jaya.
Apparently for both seasoned politicians, winning the polls this time could pave their paths towards becoming full ministers.
Going by what Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said yesterday, the state government had high expectations that their two best men would represent Sarawak in the Federal Cabinet should Barisan win the elections.
“Yong has been assured that he will be full minister if he wins. This was mentioned by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously. Additionally, we will work towards also getting Fadillah to become a full minister. This is our responsibility and it is all in our hands to get our representatives into the Federal Cabinet,” he said to a cheering crowd at the site confirmation event for the third link across Sungai Sarawak from Petra Jaya to Stampin here.
When asked to comment further, both Yong and Fadillah took it lightly and stated that it was the prerogative of the top leadership.
Fadillah said this was the expectation of Sarawak and there was no harm in asking to have better representation, especially if the state did well in the elections.
“But more importantly, the people of Sarawak must give their votes to Barisan. We will only attain this (better representation) if we have strong support from Sarawak.”
When asked which ministry he would prefer if chosen to lead one, Fadillah said that would depend on the leaders to decide.
“Like I said, what’s important is for us to serve the people well. Post is secondary — whatever it is, serve the people first,” he added.
Yong, on the other hand, said he appreciated the faith that the state leadership had in him but he preferred to focus on the elections first.
“Thank you very much and that’s all (I’ve got to say). I don’t know (anything) yet. It is up to the Barisan. We don’t even know if I get elected — so let’s get through that first,” he said.
On the Federal level, Yong is Deputy Works Minister whereas Fadillah is Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.-thestar online
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