MIRI – Sarawak PKR is eyeing senatorships or posts in government-linked companies or statutory bodies under the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said its chairman Roland Engan.
He said the request would be presented to Anwar, who is also PKR president.
“We will try to convince our leaders to accommodate certain positions under the power of the federal government to include even qualified people as ambassadors,” he said in a press conference today.
He said the state PKR leadership council wants meaningful participation of its branch and grassroots leaders in the state where the ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is a partner in the unity government.
Roland hoped Sarawak PKR will be given its due share in power-sharing arrangements, pointing out that Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be holding its meeting tomorrow to chart out its direction.
PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and GPS are the three main coalitions forming the federal government following a call for unity by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following a hung Parliament after the 15th general election on November 19.
Sarawak PH won six seats (PKR one and DAP five) against 23 seats won by GPS, while the rest were by Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu (one) and Parti Bangsa Malaysia (one).
None of the PH MPs in Sarawak were appointed in Anwar’s cabinet – while GPS has five ministers, a deputy prime minister, and six deputy ministers – with newbie Miri MP Chiew Choon Man being the sole MP from Sarawak PKR.
“Sarawak PKR acknowledges that there is a colourful reaction towards the cabinet line-up announced by PM10 (Anwar) recently and fully respects the wisdom of PM10 and all other political parties’ heads to form a stable government through the appointment of their respective leaders in the cabinet.
“As for Sarawak PKR, we shall continue to play our role alongside the MPs, federal departments and agencies in all the parliamentary constituencies. It is our duty to ensure the government services must be felt by the rakyat,” said Roland.
According to him, the state leadership council said Sarawakians want the unity government to tackle with urgency incentives for farmers, subsidised items, unemployment, healthcare services and connectivity issues in the state.
However, he added, the party urged the people to be patient pending delivery of services to the grassroots of Sarawak. – Borneo Post Online, December 15, 2022
