KUALA LUMPUR – What do the Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and, National Unity Ministries have in common?
They are all led by Umno MPs, but viewed as portfolios where the ministers “cannot do much”.
Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the party is unhappy to be given these cabinet positions, given the fact that it has the most number of parliamentary seats among Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies.
“Umno was given portfolios related to science, innovation and unity, where we cannot do much. We should have been given portfolios related to economics, commerce and agriculture instead.
“We contributed the highest number of seats in Parliament, so maybe, the deputy prime minister’s post should be given to us,” said the Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman at the Masjid Jamek LRT station here today.
Tajuddin earlier joined a Prasarana inspection of LRT and MRT stations to check on public adherence to health and safety standard operating procedures under the conditional movement control order.
Asked about his earlier comment that Umno is considering throwing its support behind PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is trying to wrest control of Putrajaya, Tajuddin said this is possible if Umno’s demands are not met by its PN partners.
However, he insisted that his party will not work with DAP.
“Umno made its stance known long ago, that it would not work with anyone allied with DAP. Without DAP, we are willing to talk.”
Of the 113 Dewan Rakyat seats held by PN, Umno has 39, Bersatu (31) and PAS (18).
However, Umno lawmakers lead only nine ministries of the total 32 posts in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet.
The other portfolios that the party heads are defence, Federal Territories, health, foreign affairs, higher education, and energy and natural resources. – The Vibes, October 16, 2020
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