KUALA LUMPUR – More indigenous representatives from Sarawak should be appointed as deputy ministers in the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led unity government, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
GPS secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the coalition’s candidates who won in the 15th general election come from various ethnic communities, and should be given the opportunity to serve in the government as they are capable.
“We have many capable MPs from different ethnic groups in Sarawak in the GPS component parties and also in Sarawak DAP who ought to be considered for deputy minister posts.
“Almost all of them had served as deputy ministers and one of them had also served as a Dewan Negara deputy speaker,” Nanta, who is Kapit MP and works minister, said in a statement.
Nanta also suggested that DAP MPs from Sarawak be given deputy minister portfolios.
“Such a formation will reflect the unity among multiracial leaders in this country under the unity government administration.”
Nanta added that while it is the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to appoint ministers and deputies, he himself as a Dayak leader in GPS was also expected to express the hopes of Sarawak’s indigenous communities to the federal government.
In the 28-member cabinet announced on December 2, GPS had five ministers named, including deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also plantation and commodities minister.
GPS is part of the unity government along with Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, and parties from Sabah. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
