Idris: We won't play same roles

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KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed Minister without Portfolio Datuk Seri Idris Jala said yesterday he was a minister in his own right.

Refuting the notion that two ministers were handling the Key Performance Indicator initiative of the government, he said: "I am also the chief executive officer of the Performance, Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu). There is no duplication of roles."

Idris said Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was the minister in charge of KPI.

"The responsibilities under my portfolio will be assigned to me from time-to-time by the prime minister," Idris said, adding that he had not been briefed on this aspect of his job by the prime minister.

He said this after taking his oath as a senator in front of Senate President Datuk Wong Foon Meng at Dewan Negara here.

Idris was responding to blog and newspaper reports that questioned the need for two ministers to look after the same portfolio.

On his appointment, Idris said he was happy. "It is an opportunity to do national service. I will work hard."

He said the work with Pemandu would not be difficult as he had been helping the government and Koh in an informal capacity.

Idris will take his oath as a minister before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong this morning.

Koh, who is minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of National Unity and Performance Management, who also attended the swearing-in, explained Idris' role with a corporate analogy.

"It is like this. I am the chairman and he is the chief executive officer and deputy chairman."

Koh said Idris had a good track record and had gained invaluable experience during his tenure in Malaysia Airlines and Shell.

"His appointment will help intensify what we have been doing so far in supporting the prime minister's efforts to transform the government."

Also sworn in yesterday was Malacca MCA deputy secretary Lee Cheam Choon, 55. He replaced Senator Soon Tian Szu whose term ended early this year.