KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak DAP claimed that some quarters have “insisted the exclusion” of any of its MPs from the federal cabinet in exchange for their support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.
“We understand that in the general national interest of stability and stronger support, the prime minister acceded to such demands.
“DAP’s struggle is not for ministerial positions but to see that our ideals are implemented as policies for the people’s and country’s betterment,” said Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
He added that Sarawak DAP had a hand in “saving the country’s secularism and religious freedom” by convincing Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to instead support Anwar.
“Though GPS may have ministerial positions, they are now subject to PH’s fundamental principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. With the installation of this PH-led unity government, we are confident that the old days of opaque governance fraught with corruption and abuses are gone.
“DAP will continue to play our role to ensure that the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance are carried out in the new government.”
Chong also called on DAP members and supporters to not be disappointed with the cabinet picks.
PH took the bulk of cabinet posts announced last night, with 15 out of 28 ministers in Anwar’s unity government.
Of the 15, PKR has eight ministers, DAP four, Amanah two, and Upko one. Barisan Nasional has six, GPS five, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah one.
The ministers from DAP are party secretary-general and Seremban MP Anthony Loke (transport), Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming (local government development), Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh (youth and sports) and Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar (human resources). – The Vibes, December 3, 2022