THE appointment of Fadillah Yusof as deputy prime minister will give Sarawak a stronger representation in the federal government.

Former law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the appointment is a historic moment for the people of the state.

“Coupled with Fadillah’s portfolio as plantation industries and commodities minister, I am optimistic for more exciting developments taking place that will benefit the people in Sarawak and Sabah and put us on an equal footing with states in the peninsula,” he said in a statement in Kuching today. 

Fadillah is the first deputy prime minister from Sarawak. 

Fadillah, 60, who is Bersatu senior vice-president, has been serving as Petra Jaya MP since 2004. 

Wan Junaidi, who is former Santubong MP, also hopes that the appointment of Alexander Nanta Linggi as works minister will give adequate focus on the overall development in Sarawak and Sabah. 

“Compared with other states in the peninsula, we are very much behind in terms of basic infrastructure, namely, connectivity, schools, hospitals, electricity, as well as phone and internet services. 

“More than 50% of the people in Borneo are still living in rural areas. It is hoped that having a Borneo MP to lead this ministry would bring about much-needed infrastructure development in Sabah and Sarawak – as promised in the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he added. – Bernama, December 3, 2022.