RAMKARPAL Singh resigned as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) to ensure there were no allegations that the DAP practises nepotism.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said Ramkarpal made this decision after learning that his brother Gobind Singh Deo would be made a minister.
“He decided so critics would not accuse DAP of practising nepotism.
“He said he was not comfortable that his brother is a minister and he is a deputy minister,” Loke told reporters at DAP headquarters.
Loke thanked Ramkarpal for his contributions and for assisting Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to draft new bills.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced Gobind as the new digital minister.
Gobind, the Damansara MP, was also the former communications and multimedia minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pakatan Harapan cabinet.
Ramkarpal is replaced by M. Kulasegaran, also from DAP, and formerly the human resources minister.
Loke also thanked former human resources minister V. Sivakumar for his services.
Sivakumar is replaced by Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, who was the previous deputy finance minister.
Gobind, who was also present at the press conference, thanked the prime minister for his trust in him.
“I think we all realise the challenges we face as a nation in this digital era,” he said.
He said he would meet with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil tomorrow to discuss both ministries’ portfolios, adding that he would need a few days before announcing his plans for the ministry. – The Vibes, December 12, 2023
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