KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani did not hide his disappointment following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement on his cabinet picks today.
In a series of tweets, the former second finance minister singled out the lack of inclusion of opposition MPs and young blood in the line-up as the biggest drawbacks.
“I was actually hoping that the prime minister would form a bipartisan cabinet to govern during this current crisis, or at least introduce some fresh young faces to inject more energy and enthusiasm. The line-up is uninspiring.”
Ismail Sabri has named a largely familiar cabinet, with most of the ministers and deputies from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration either retaining their positions or getting a different portfolio.
The new faces are mostly from among senior politicians.
A number of opposition lawmakers earlier criticised those who got appointed, pointing out that the omission of Umno’s Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is the biggest shocker.
With the ministers and their deputies set to be sworn in on Monday, Johari said Ismail Sabri can expect no “honeymoon period”, particularly with the grave mistakes committed by the previous administration that led to soaring Covid-19 cases and deaths.
Infections have consistently been above 20,000 daily, and more than 14,000 lives have been lost to the virus.
Johari said unemployment has climbed in the past year, with the poverty rate increasing and small and medium enterprises shuttering.
In terms of investments, the Umno man noted that Malaysia now has the lowest foreign direct investment in the region and lags behind many of its neighbours when it comes to the export of manufacturing goods.
To assist the rakyat, he said, it is incumbent on Ismail Sabri to immediately implement a targeted and comprehensive income assistance plan for those who have been greatly affected by lockdown policies.
“This is especially for the B40 segment of the population. We must help put food on their table.
“The government must show urgency in addressing the economic and health issues facing the nation.” – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
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