KOTA KINABALU: Datuk VK Liew, the newly appointed Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, is happy with his new post.

“I am happy with my position now in the Prime Minister’s Department. It is a promotional direction towards a new horizon and a new destiny. I am absolutely thrilled with the absolute confidence of the Prime Minister has in me,” he said.

Liew added that although he had yet to be briefed on his new duties, which will begin after the swearing-in ceremony in the Negara Istana, he is expected to deal with the areas that will include either the law, parliamentary affairs, the economy, economic planning units, unity and performance, amongst others.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate my other colleagues from Sabah such as Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Datuk Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Anifah Aman for being made full ministers in the new cabinet.

“The same also goes to the other deputy ministers namely Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Datuk Rahim Bakri, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Okin and Datuk Rosnah Shirlin. Together, I believe that we can bring peace and prosperity to Sabah,” he added.

Commenting on the new Cabinet, Liew said that it is a reflection of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s commitment to transform the political change in the country.

“It is people orientated that must be supported fully by the people so that we can achieve the ultimate aim of the new government, namely to achieve the concept of One Malaysia,” he said.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president added the circumstances of the country have changed over the years and they are continually changing, and the opinions of the people change also.

“It is important now for the new line-up to be able to keep abreast with the developments in the country, politically, economically and socially, and to address them as quickly with uniformity. The greatest happiness of the people is when the government is good.

“We must quickly get down to work to govern the nation. I believe that is the test of Barisan Nasional and the acid test for the new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to govern the nation.

“We must always be reminded that the basis of effective government is public confidence. We must work hard to regain public confidence that is seen to be wanting of late,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth chief Datuk Jahid Jahim said the reappointment of deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili as a full minister was a reflection of trust from the Prime Minister.

Maximus keeps the post of Science, Technology and Innovations Minister in the old cabinet.

Jahid also said the appointment of four Sabah leaders as ministers and five as deputies reflected the confidence of the BN leadership in the capability of state leaders.