KUALA LUMPUR - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for political differences to be set aside so that the new government could truly champion the interests of the people.
"We need to prioritise the interests of the people to create stability in the country to lure back foreign investors and encourage domestic investment,” he told reporters after taking his oath of office at Istana Negara today.
Zahid, who is also minister for rural and regional development, said the appointment of Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders to the Cabinet could help to strengthen the country’s administration and management system.
He said the BN representatives had wide experience and were capable of discharging their responsibilities in implementing government policies.
Zahid was among 27 ministers who were sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
As for Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the Petra Jaya MP said his appointment offered him wider opportunities to intensify efforts to realise the gist of what is contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Fadillah said MA63 was among the main items he planned to settle as soon as possible, and he had already discussed the matter with the prime minister.
On his plans for the development of Sabah and Sarawak, Fadillah said he was fully committed to narrowing the development gap between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.-- BERNAMA