KUCHING, February 18, 2022 - PBB Deputy Youth leader and Tupong State Assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, seen as a rising star in the party, has been appointed as the new Chief Political Secretary to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.
He received his Letter of Appointment during the swearing-in ceremony for all the political secretaries before the chief minister today.
He took over from the Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
“I thank the chief minister for the trust that he has placed in me to helm the position which is crucial to help disseminate the policies and approaches of the state government to members of the public.
“I pledge to do my best in the new role and I hope with it, it would enable me to better serve the constituents in Tupong in particular as well as Sarawakians in general,” he said in a statement.
He noted that over the past five years since Abang Johari too took over as chief minister, there were over 100 initiatives that have benefitted the people.
“It is important that good policies and approaches are supported by all Sarawakians including political leaders and the grassroots.
“This enables more people-centric policies to be drafted, providing various benefit to every section of the community be it in terms of infrastructure projects, welfare and economic development.
“Through the setting up regional development agencies – NRDA, HDA, URDA, SADA and IRSDA - has spurred transformation in rural areas, allowing the rural populace to enjoy similar facilities in urban areas,” he said.
Fazzrudin, 47, said while the plans are in place and immediate steps are taken to implement it, the people must understand that development, in all forms, are a continuous and ongoing process.
“I have every confidence that all the planned development projects of the state government, be it people-centric projects, Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) and also those implemented by the development agencies will be completed in due time,” he said.
He also urge grassroots leaders to continue to link up with government agencies on issues that are occurring on the ground for it to be resolved amicably and for them to be aware of the development plans of the state government.
He said through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 as well as the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), there will be a number of new initiatives and development projects that will take place to develop Sarawak better in terms of infrastructure and economy.
“All this is to ensure that we reach the goal of becoming a developed state by 2030 and a model state to the rest of Malaysia,” he added.
Fazzrudin stressed with the recent amendment to the State Constitution, which among others changed the designation of "Chief Minister" to "Premier", Sarawak will continue to fight to restore its eroded rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Inter-Government Committee Report (IGC) 1962 under the Federal Constitution and assert its status as an equal partner in the Malaysia federation.
Fazzrudin was elected Tupong State Assemblyman in 2016 and successfully defended the position in last year’s state election.
He defeated Ahmad Nazib Johari of PKR by 11,209-vote majority when he secured 12,544 votes.
Ahmad Nazib, who only secured 1,335 votes and PBK’s Chan Haong Yen with 836 votes, lost their election deposits.
Fifteen other political secretaries also took their oath of office.
Including Fazzrudin, PBB has nine political secretaries, SUPP and PRS with three each and PDP, one political secretary.
The appointments are for two years, beginning from February 15, 2022 to February 15, 2024.
Among those present at the swearing-in ceremony were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Asfia Awang Nasar, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, state Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers.
