Datuk Peter Chin

KUCHING, March 27 (Bernama) -- Newly-appointed Minister of PlantationEnterprises and Commoditites, Datuk Peter Chin said he was still in thedark on his appointment which was announced by Prime Minister, Datuk SeriAbdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday.

He said he will only know his functions on his new ministry on Monday.

Chin, 59, who is a London trained Barrister, was formerly the DeputyMinister of Housing and Local Government since 1995.

He was returned unopposed as the Member of Parliament at the justconcluded 11th General Election.

His challenger, Lim Khim Boon of Keadilan's nomination was objected byReturning Officer Ik Pahon Joyik when Chin filed an objecting saying thathe (Lim) was an undischarged bankrupt.

Chin said he has not received his letter of appointment and only expectedit next week.

He said his new ministry function's would likely to be a bit similar tothe primary industries minstry.

"I believe my new ministry will have to deal with land development and oneof them would be to ensure the development of a healthy oil palmindustry," he said.

Chin said he was not really suprised with the appointment as the SarawakUnited Peoples Party (SUPP) had made the recommendation to the PrimeMinster.

"This promotion only means more work for me. I will do all that isneccessary in terms of land development," he said.

Chin said his past experience in the government including that gained fromof his former ministry would enable him to handle the new portfolio.

He was MP for Miri since 1986. The Kuching-born Chin, got involved inpolitics since 1978 as a member of SUPP and in 1984 he was the DeputyChairman of SUPP Miri Branch.

Now Chin, the Organising Committee of SUPP who obtained his Bachelor ofLaws from the University of Gray's Inn, had served in various capacitiesboth at Federal and State levels.

He was a partner and practitioner from 1972 to 1986 with Wan Ulok, Jugah &Chin.

He became the Chairman of Miri Municipal Council since 1984 till 1987.

He was oppointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Minister of WelfareServices Malaysia from 1986 to 1990.

He become a Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Environment from1990 to 1995.

Chin is active in various Chinese associations. He has been appointed asthe president of the Malaysian Walkers Association in 1991 and thechairman of Hakka Association Miri and other associations in Miri.

He is married with three children.-- BERNAMA