KUALA LUMPUR – Amid intense speculation on who Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will pick as his No. 2, Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said it is the prime minister’s prerogative.
He told reporters in Balik Pulau, Penang, that Bersatu will leave the decision to Ismail Sabri as the prime minister wants to appoint a cabinet of ministers that can work together.
“There is no use if the prime minister appoints great people but they cannot work together, resulting in a dysfunctional cabinet,” Redzuan was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
On his chances of being appointed a cabinet member, he said he is hopeful as he had unfinished programmes related to the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
He was commenting on reports that Bersatu bigwigs, especially secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, are fighting for the DPM post.
On the other hand, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he will accept Ismail Sabri’s decision even if he picks a DPM from the peninsula.
“GPS has never made any official demands on how the prime minister has to fill the DPM spot. We will leave it to Ismail Sabri and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg if they see fit for another DPM from East Malaysia. There have been many views on whether two DPMs should be appointed,” he told the Malay daily yesterday.
Previously, Fadillah and GPS secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi had been suggested to take up the DPM mantle to represent Sarawak. – The Vibes, August 26, 2021
