DESPITE his impressive second place showing in the recent DAP CEC election, Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen is unlikely to become part of the federal Cabinet.
According to reports in Borneo Post, Prof James Chin, from the University of Tasmania said this would be 'impossible' based on an understanding between Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
The understanding said the professor of Asian Studies was that no DAP MPs from Sarawak would be appointed as a federal minister or deputy minister.
"Unless Loke can persuade Abang Jo to change his mind, it would be impossible for Chong to become part of the federal Cabinet," he told The Borneo Post.
Loke had recently said that the outcome of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) election would have no bearing on the position of DAP’s current ministers or deputy ministers in the federal Cabinet.
“DAP leaders still represent DAP, so ministers or deputy ministers, whether they are CEC members or not, will continue to serve in their current positions,” the federal Transport Minister said.
Loke also said that he would not propose any changes involving DAP MPs to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim even if the latter was to have a Cabinet reshuffle.
Chong garnered the second-highest number of votes for a spot in the 30-member CEC and was appointed one of five national vice chairmen.
According to Universiti Malaya’s Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, Chong would be a credible candidate for a minister or deputy minister post should Anwar decide for a Cabinet reshuffle.
“Given Chong’s previous experience as Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs during the 2018-2020 Pakatan Harapan government, he is seen as both capable and ready to re-enter the Cabinet,” he said.
However, Awang Azman said the prime minister would exercise caution before including Chong in the federal Cabinet, as he would not want to jeopardise the current good relationship with Unity Government partner Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
While DAP is part of the Unity Government, it remains an opposition party in Sarawak, albeit with only two elected representatives in Chong (Padungan) and Violet Yong (Pending).
Awang Azman, however, said appointing Chong as a federal minister or deputy minister would improve Pakatan Harapan’s image among voters in Sarawak, especially ahead of the next general election, as East Malaysia would have more representation. – March 18, 2025
