KUALA LUMPUR: There is no time for a honeymoon period, as many people need assistance, said newly appointed Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Sungai Buloh Member of Parliament said that on his first day in office yesterday, he received a briefing from the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, and the top leadership.
“Today, I’m here at Perkeso (the Social Security Organisation). Of course, if we look at the situation, there is no time for a honeymoon period because many people need assistance.
“For example, about 400,000 Malaysians cross the border every day to work in Singapore and return to Malaysia. There must be a way to ensure they are protected if anything happens, such as an accident,” he told a press conference after visiting Perkeso headquarters today.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said newly appointed members of the reshuffled cabinet are expected to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister made this clear during the first cabinet meeting following the swearing-in of new federal ministers and deputy ministers.
Ramanan said: “So indeed, what the prime minister said is true; there is no time for a honeymoon. Immediately, we, newly appointed ministers and deputies, get to work.”
He added that while many newly appointed ministers and deputies might want to go home and change clothes after taking the oath, the prime minister went straight to the office.
“So that is exactly what I intend to do. I will ensure that over the next few days, I get to know the ministry and the agencies under it.”
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