GEORGE TOWN – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been urged to limit the number of political appointments, not dozens at the expense of taxpayer monies, said Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) president.
“This should be the way forward as part of the austerity drive to reform the government to face the future,” said Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff.
He added that in recent years, there have been more positions, including federal ministers, created to appease political operatives and certain individuals.
Meanwhile, he said the prime minister should consider appointing an anti-corruption liaison officer in each ministry to monitor all monetary transactions and ensure minimal public funding leakage.
Pemenang is the oldest Malay organisation in the country after it was formed in 1927.
Yesterday, Anwar said the announcement of his cabinet would take “some time” as he needs to take into account the views of various parties under his unity government.
This is unlike previous cabinets, which were made up largely of members of the same party and coalition,” he told reporters after chairing his first Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting since his appointment.
“On top of this, we have the issue of making the cabinet smaller. Previously, they just put anyone in… 50, 60, 70 (ministers).
“If that wasn’t enough, (they also appointed) special envoys and advisers. I’m not willing to do that.”
The PH chairman was sworn in as the 10th prime minister on Thursday, after close to a week of a political impasse that saw none of the major coalitions secure a simple majority to form the government.
However, Anwar has yet to name any cabinet member, with negotiations understood to be ongoing with the other parties, including Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
Several non-governmental organisations and civil society groups have since issued statements expressing their objection to naming those involved in court cases in the cabinet.
Responding to this, Anwar said he is considering views from all parties in ongoing discussions.
“But as we all know, from the legal point of view, only when someone is sentenced (can they be considered guilty)... the rest, we will consider.” – The Vibes, November 29, 2022
