KUALA LUMPUR – The arts and culture portfolios will remain with the tourism ministry, according to a tweet by its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today.
“The name remains – Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (Motac),” he tweeted.
He added that this decision was made in the first cabinet meeting of the new government yesterday.
There have been questions about where the arts and culture portfolios would be placed, as these were not mentioned when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled his 28-member cabinet on December 2.
Tiong, the Bintulu MP, was then announced as tourism minister.
Yesterday, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said arts and culture would not be placed under his ministry, in response to rumours that he would oversee the portfolios because of his past experience in the arts industry as a theatre actor and writer.
Fahmi said the relevant minister would make an announcement on the matter.
Meanwhile, Tg Malim MP Chang Lih Kang, who was announced as science and technology minister, clarified in a tweet that his ministry would be called the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry.
Social media users, however, are still questioning if the Federal Territories Ministry still exists under the new government, as a minister for the portfolio is yet to be announced. Some are also asking if the portfolio will be placed under Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who besides being deputy prime minister, is also rural and regional development minister. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
