GEORGE TOWN – Bersatu’s Nibong Tebal MP Datuk Mansor Othman was taken aback with the switch in portfolio, from being deputy higher education minister to being second in the Environment Ministry.
He said he assumed he would retain his former portfolio considering his academic background.
“I am actually expecting to be kept in the old place because I am from the academic field. But it doesn’t matter, I’m still grateful for this appointment,” he told The Vibes.
Mansor has degrees from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Yale University.
He was also USM’s Policy Research Centre director before becoming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary.
Mansor said the environment portfolio is a challenging task as it is related to national development issues.
He added that he will focus on matters related to climate change, including pollution issues, water resources management and sea reclamation.
“This environment is an important matter because it involves the future of the country, especially as we are now facing climate change. And I will learn and try to lead well.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced the list of his cabinet members.
The other Penang parliamentarian who saw his portfolio switched is Umno’s Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. He is now housing and local government minister.
He was youth and sports minister under the Perikatan Nasional government. – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
