KUCHING (March 17): The appointment of Satok assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki as the new Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) has led to a minor Cabinet reshuffle affecting Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

Dr Abdul Rahman, who is the Pantai Damai assemblyman and former Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, has taken on a new role.

Ibrahim, recently elected as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president, was sworn in this morning before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at The Astana in Petra Jaya here.

According to a press statement issued following the swearing in ceremony, Dr Abdul Rahman has now been appointed as the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Office (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs).

“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government is pleased to announce the appointment of The Honourable Dato Ibrahim Baki, Member of the State Legislative Assembly, N.08, Satok as the Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros), effective March 17, 2025.

“The appointment has prompted a minor reshuffle within the GPS Cabinet, whereby The Honourable Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Member of the State Legislative Assembly, N.04, Pantai Damai will be appointed as the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Office (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara and Islamic Affairs), effective concurrently on the same date, March 17, 2025 (Monday),” the statement read.

The statement explained that the new appointment and the minor reshuffle of the State Cabinet aim to strengthen the GPS Government’s service delivery to the people and enhance the energy sector, including investment in the oil and gas industry.

“These will also enable the Sarawak Government to effectively strategise its effort towards achieving Sarawak’s vision of becoming a developed and high-income region under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030,” it added.

Meanwhile, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was among the first to congratulate Ibrahim on being appointed Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros).

“My heartiest congratulations to the assemblyman of Satok. My colleagues and I from the State Cabinet were invited to attend the swearing in ceremony held at the Astana, Petra Jaya today,” he was quoted as saying in a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit.

PBB veteran Dato Peter Minos said Ibrahim deserved the new position as he possessed all the credentials to hold it.

“Ibrahim just won the vice president post in the last party election held during PBB Convention in February. Moreover, he is a seasoned lawyer, a legislator, a strong-minded businessman. He speaks well for Sarawak in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) and serves as chairman of SEB, among many other roles,” he said.

Minos added that he believed Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would want Ibrahim to focus on getting more from Petronas and overseeing major projects.

“He will do his job very well.”

Ibrahim was formerly GPS chief whip and PBB deputy secretary general before he garnered 910 votes in the party election for the Bumiputera Wing – the highest for the four vice president posts.

Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi retained his vice president post with 900 votes, as did Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee who received 788 votes.

Second time contender Datuk Len Talif Salleh clinched the final vice president post with 687 votes.

With Ibrahim and Len Talif emerging victorious, incumbents Abdul Karim and Dr Abdul Rahman were ousted, having received 669 and 546 votes, respectively.

Ibrahim first entered politics through the PBB Satok Youth wing in 1985.

A lawyer by training, he was a legal officer of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and co-founded a legal firm in the early 1980s.

He is currently Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman.