MIRI: Former Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is now the Transport Minister, is optimistic that his successor Datuk Sebastian Ting, can carry out works done and maintain continuity. “I will do whatever I can to assist him (Ting),” Lee said when met by reporters upon his arrival at Miri Airport yesterday.
Lee was excited that his successor, Ting, is assemblyman for Piasau and also from Miri. “There will be more collaboration between us in the future for the betterment of Sarawak,” he said.
On his new post as Transport Minister, Lee described it as having more responsibilities than before but he vowed to do his best to serve the people.
“I hope to improve transportation and bring more progress, in line with our Chief Minister’s vision to have a more efficient transportation system,” he said. The Transport Ministry is a new portfolio in the Cabinet helmed by Lee, while partyless Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil is Lee’s assistant minister.
Lee was touched with the overwhelming welcome upon his return from Kuching. From there, he went to Tudan Watch Tower as he was concerned about the haze situation. On Thursday, two primary schools namely SK Kuala Baram II and SJK Chung Hua Tudan were forced to close due to the hazardous air pollutant index (API) reading exceeding 400.
“Coordinating various agencies in tackling peat soil fires in Miri will be my first priority as the new Transport Minister,” vowed Lee. He spent nearly 30 minutes at the watch tower listening to the latest updates by the Miri Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) team.
