KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani is up for the challenge in taking his new role as Plantation and Commodities Minister.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today, the Titiwangsa member of Parliament said this portfolio would require a lot of "out of the box thinking."
"Agriculture makes up about 8.9 per cent of our gross domestic product, and the plantation and commodities sectors accounts for more than 50 per cent of that.
"I know this is a challenging ministry (to helm), and there are many things that would require out of the box thinking.
"I will be sharing my thoughts with the ministry," he said.
Johari also said he only found out about his appointment this morning.
"There are a lot of things (in the ministry) that I want to look into. Give me some time," he added.
Johari takes over the portfolio from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah would now be heading the Energy Transition and Renewable Energy Ministry, and would also be in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs.
Johari, who is also Umno vice-president, had served as the former Finance Minister II in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak from June 2016 until the change in government in May 2018.
The qualified chartered accountant is also chairman of the task force on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal since March.
Johari was the Titiwangsa MP from May 2013 to May 2018 and was re-elected as the MP in the 2022 general election.