New Communications and Multimedia Minister Mohd Salleh Said Keruak said today he welcomed constructive views in the implementation of government policies.

This is in line with the concept of collective leadership that used the approach of considering the best means so that the people understood and accepted government policies, he said.

“We cannot work in isolation; we have to consider the ideas out there and determine how we can improve the situation,” he told reporters after being sworn in as a senator in the Dewan Negara at Parliament House.

The minister took his oath of office before Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang.

Later, Mohd Salleh was sworn in as a minister, along with the other new ministers, before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, at the Istana Negara.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced a cabinet reshuffle in which he also named Mohd Salleh as the new communications and multimedia minister to succeed Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who takes over the agriculture and agro-based industries portfolio.

In responding to the appointment, Mohd Salleh pledged to strive to ensure that all policies under Najib's leadership were well-implemented, and thanked the prime minister for placing his trust in him.

After Mohd Salleh was sworn in as a senator, Abu Zahar, in his speech, advised the minister to play his role in uniting the people.

“Your Excellency’s experience and knowledge as the speaker of the Sabah legislative assembly will be important in discharging the duties of a minister,” he said.

Mohd Salleh, who is also a former chief minister of Sabah, has been the speaker of the Sabah assembly since 2011. He resigned from the post yesterday after he was appointed minister.

- Bernama