KUCHING (March 17): Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki has been appointed Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) effective today.

The newly-elected Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president was sworn in at Astana Negeri Sarawak in Petra Jaya here this morning.

He received his letter of appointment from Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced his portfolio in a statement following the swearing in ceremony today.

Abang Johari also confirmed that with Ibrahim’s appointment, there has been a minor Cabinet reshuffle with Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi being appointed Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs).

Ibrahim was formerly Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip and PBB deputy secretary general before he garnered 910 votes in the party election for the Bumiputera Wing – the highest for the four vice president posts.

Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi retained his vice president post with 900 votes, as did Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee who received 788 votes.

Second time contender Datuk Len Talif Salleh clinched the final vice president post with 687 votes.

With Ibrahim and Len Talif emerging victorious, incumbents Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi were ousted, having received 669 and 546 votes, respectively.

Ibrahim first entered politics through the PBB Satok Youth wing in 1985.

A lawyer by training, he was a legal officer of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and co-founded a legal firm in the early 1980s.

He is currently Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman.