Senator Matthew Samuda - file photo
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Political commentator Helene Davis Whyte
Senator Matthew Samuda has been appointed Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security.
He was sworn in Monday afternoon at King's House.
There was a vacancy in the Cabinet after Pearnel Charles Jr resigned from the Senate to run in the Clarendon South East by-election.
At least two Cabinet ministers must come from the Senate and with Mr. Charles' departure, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith was the only remaining minister from that Chamber.
Mr. Samuda is heading to the National Security Ministry amid the resignation of former state minister, Rudyard Spencer, who has vacated his Clarendon South East seat.
Younger face?
Political commentator Helene Davis Whyte believes the latest Cabinet appointment could be part of a plan by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to present a Jamaica Labour Party with a younger face.
"It appears that basically what he's trying to do is to ensure that the JLP is able to present a slate of candidates that has a good mix of age and youth, experience and inexperience. And especially against the background of some of the candidates that the PNP is coming up with, I think the JLP needs to ensure that they put themselves in s position to be able to compete," she asserted.
Mrs Davis Whyte said she expects Mr. Samuda to perform well in his new role given his contributions in the Senate.
Mr. Samuda was instrumental in getting the government to enact environmental reforms, through a motion he brought in the senate calling for a ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam.
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