Kota Kinabalu (Dec 16) - Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin has expressed his readiness to collaborate closely with Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup following his appointment as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES).
Extending his congratulations on Tuesday evening (Dec 16), Jafry said the appointment comes at an appropriate time, particularly as the nation focuses on effective natural resource management and advancing a sustainable environmental agenda.
In a statement, he said Sabah looks forward to working with the NRES Ministry in key areas such as biodiversity protection, the management of protected areas, climate change initiatives, and the sustainable development of tourism.
Jafry stressed that strong coordination between state and federal ministries is essential to ensure tourism growth is carried out responsibly and sustainably, delivering long-term benefits for both Sabah and the country.
Arthur, who is the Sook assemblyman and Member of Parliament for Pensiangan, is among two leaders from Sabah appointed as full ministers in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest Cabinet reshuffle. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
The other Sabah representative elevated to full minister is Sepanggar MP Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who has been appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs. He previously held the position of Deputy Higher Education Minister.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin has been named Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Tawau MP Loh Su Fui has been appointed Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, Batu Sapi MP Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan is the new Deputy Minister of Human Resources, and Kimanis MP Datuk Mohamad Alamin has been appointed Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.