[UPDATED] DAP gave Anwar full discretion in cabinet appointments: Loke

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has insisted that DAP be in cabinet but the party has entirely left it to him to decide which portfolios are given, said party secretary-general Anthony Loke.

“On November 22, before Anwar went to the palace, I told him, ‘as long as you are prime minister, DAP is willing to sacrifice anything.’ That was my commitment to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

“Also it is not about positions but to serve for the good of the country. Whatever roles that we are given, we will do our best,” he said in a press conference here today.

This comes amid backlash that the party was sidelined during Anwar’s cabinet announcement last night.

“Again, cabinet appointments are the prime minister’s sole discretion and prerogative.”

Loke also reiterated that the current administration is a unity government, consisting not just the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, but Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Warisan, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat and independents. 

“Seeing that this is a unity government, there are certain principles that we have to adhere to. For example, who will be included as representatives of their coalitions or parties. So, there would be a discussion between the coalitions and the prime minister. 

“If we do not follow these principles, the government will fail. Those were the principles we respected.”

When asked about “unconditional support”, Loke said fighting corruption remains the government’s agenda and what he meant was to be given certain positions and portfolios.

“I’ve never insisted for the transport portfolio to be returned to me. But now that it’s entrusted to me, I thank (the prime minister). 

“When I say ‘unconditional’, it means in terms of political positions. We will have to learn how to work together since none have a simple majority (in the Dewan Rakyat).”

On the issue of deputy ministers, Loke said the prime minister has prioritised setting up the cabinet but when the time comes, names will be submitted for consideration.

PH took the bulk of cabinet posts, with 15 out of 28 ministers in Anwar’s unity government.

Of the 15, PKR has eight ministers, DAP four, Amanah two, and Upko one. BN has six, GPS five, and GRS one.

The ministers from DAP are Seremban MP Loke (transport), Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming (local government development), Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh (youth and sports) and Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar (human resources).  

Today, Sarawak and Penang DAP chiefs have expressed their disappointment over the low number of MPs from the party who were appointed to the cabinet.

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen claimed that some quarters have “insisted the exclusion” of any of its MPs from the federal cabinet in exchange for their support for Anwar as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the political composition of the newly-minted cabinet is “not balanced” even though the lineup has been slimmed down.

“A political party has won fewer seats than DAP in GE15 but is getting double the number of ministers compared to DAP. 

“We regret that none of the seven DAP MPs in Penang were appointed as ministers, although we understand that ultimately, it is the prime minister’s decision to choose who should be in his cabinet,” he was quoted as saying by Penang government mouthpiece Buletin Mutiara. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022

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