Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Many people remain unclear about the distinction between a Deputy Minister and an Assistant Minister, often assuming that both roles are the same.
In reality, they are very different in hierarchy, authority, functions, and staffing—especially within the administrative structure of Sabah.
This explanation aims to clarify these differences based on Sabah’s governance framework.
🟦 1. Only the Chief Minister Has Deputies
✔ Current Structure
Sabah currently has three Deputy Chief Ministers, each representing different communities or political blocs.
✔ Assistant Ministers in the Chief Minister’s Department
The Chief Minister may also have Assistant Ministers assigned to the Chief Minister’s Department (Jabatan Ketua Menteri).
These Assistant Ministers often handle:
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Special portfolios
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Tasks that do not require establishing a full ministry
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Supporting functions under the Chief Minister’s overarching direction
For example, portfolios like Human Capital, Entrepreneurship, or Digitalisation may be placed under the CM’s Department instead of being turned into standalone ministries.
🟩 2. Deputy Chief Minister = Full Minister
🧑💼 Staffing of a Deputy Chief Minister
Their office is supported by:
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Political Secretary – handles political outreach, party affairs, grassroots communication
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Press Secretary – manages media relations, statements, press coverage
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Private Secretary – manages schedules, meetings, protocol, and administrative coordination
These positions are formally recognised, usually appointed with State Government approval, and come with clear remuneration and job scopes.
🏛 Duties as Deputy Chief Minister
In addition to ministerial responsibilities, a TKM also:
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Assists the Chief Minister in coordinating cross-ministry policies
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Represents the Chief Minister when delegated (in meetings, federal engagements, state events)
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Ensures cohesion between ministries under their cluster or political grouping
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Strengthens political unity within the coalition government
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Acts as a senior advisor in strategic matters such as development planning and intergovernmental relations
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Handles delicate issues involving ethnic or regional representation
⭐ Protocol Ranking
A Deputy Chief Minister ranks:
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Below the Chief Minister
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On par with other full Ministers, but with higher importance due to the title
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Above all Assistant Ministers
🟧 3. Assistant Minister = Not a Full Minister
An Assistant Minister (Pembantu Menteri):
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Is NOT a full minister
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Does NOT have independent policymaking authority
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Cannot issue directives without the Minister’s approval
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Serves as the Minister’s representative in operational or ground-level matters
🧑💼 Staffing for an Assistant Minister
Unlike full ministers, Assistant Ministers do not receive:
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Political Secretary
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Press Secretary
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Private Secretary
Instead, they may appoint:
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Special Officers (Pegawai Khas)
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Administrative Assistants
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Driver / aide
These are lower-grade appointments, yet Special Officers often end up performing tasks similar to:
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Political Secretary
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Press Secretary
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Private Secretary
Hence, yes—they are often underpaid compared to the weight of their duties.
🏛 Duties of an Assistant Minister
They typically:
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Represent the Minister in district events
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Attend ground programmes and community functions on behalf of the Ministry
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Monitor implementation of ministry programmes
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Maintain communication between Ministry HQ and district offices
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Provide political support within the Minister’s constituency or party
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Answer questions in the State Legislative Assembly on behalf of the Minister
📝 Answering Questions in the Assembly
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Answers are prepared by Ministry staff (led by the Permanent Secretary)
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Answers must be approved by the Minister
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Assistant Minister is merely the spokesperson, not the decision-maker
⛔ What an Assistant Minister Cannot Do
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Cannot make Ministry policies
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Cannot issue directives to the whole ministry without Minister’s approval
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Cannot commit the State Government to new initiatives independently
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Cannot act as a full minister in federal-level negotiations unless authorised
This distinction protects the chain of command and Cabinet discipline.
🟪 4. Protocol Position of an Assistant Minister
In Sabah’s official protocol:
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Assistant Ministers rank below:
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Deputy Chief Ministers
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Ministers
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The State Secretary (a civil servant but extremely senior)
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the Chief Minister
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Deputy Chief Ministers
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full Ministers
Assistant Ministers sit in a separate tier.
This reflects their supporting role, not executive leadership.
🟫 5. Summary of Differences
⭐ Deputy Chief Minister
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Full Minister
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Senior position in Cabinet
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Holds a full-fledged Ministry
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Has Political Secretary, Press Secretary, and Private Secretary
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Has policymaking power
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Higher protocol ranking
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Represents CM in cross-ministry leadership
⭐ Assistant Minister
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Not a full minister
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Support role to a Minister
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No political/press/private secretaries
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Lower protocol
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Operational duties
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Cannot create policy
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Limited authority
🟦 Conclusion
The difference between a Deputy Chief Minister and an Assistant Minister in Sabah is significant in terms of:
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authority,
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protocol rank,
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staffing,
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responsibilities, and
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policy influence.
Understanding these distinctions helps the public better appreciate the organisational structure of Sabah’s administration and the roles each officeholder plays within the machinery of government.
