Baru Bian ready to serve country as Works Minister

KUCHING: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian is ready to take up the role of Works Minister to serve the rakyat and country in a greater capacity.

Although no official announcement has been made on his appointment, the Selangau Member of Parliament (MP) said he is prepared to take up the job.

He declined further comment, however.

“Of course I’m ready. But it’s not (appropriate for me) to comment, as there hasn’t been any officially announcement yet,” he said when contacted.

An English language news portal reported today that Baru will be named Works Minister after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as he is deemed the best person to prioritise infrastructure projects in Sabah and Sarawak.

When asked if he has received an appointment letter, he said that there has been no official correspondence on the matter.

State Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, meanwhile, said that he too has not received an appointment letter, and will await an announcement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on his appointment as a Cabinet member.

“All (this is) speculation and the news portal was quoting a source. I don’t know who their source is. Thus, I cannot comment or confirm anything.

“I didn’t receive any (appointment) letter and I’m not aware about Baru,” he added.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had promised to recommend Chong as a Cabinet minister should PH win the May 9 general election, when he was campaigning in Kuching.

However, it is widely speculated that Chong will not make the cut.

Instead, Baru and two MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will be appointed.

“Let it (be officially announced) first. There’s no point to comment further,” said the Stampin MP.