KUCHING: With the new federal Cabinet line-up to be announced this week, it would be far more important to have Sarawak MPs appointed to head key ministries rather than only being appointed as deputy prime minister.
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS) secretary-general Jonathan Chai Voon Tok said that if a leader from Sarawak were to be appointed deputy prime minister, it would indeed be great and a historical milestone for the state.
“But if we don’t, that’s fine. Let’s be realistic and pragmatic – it would be far more important to have our MPs appointed to head the ‘critical’ ministries like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Rural Development.
“This is so that we would be in a better position to substantively formulate policies and allocate the financial resources for the betterment of our state in those areas which we are currently relatively worse off or left behind.”
He said this on Wednesday when prompted for his views on whether it would be a better option for Sarawak to hold the deputy prime minister post or to keep status quo with four full federal ministers as in the previous federal Cabinet.
He said the formation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Cabinet would not only determine the image, direction and policies likely to be implemented by the new government but also influence the people’s perception and confidence towards him.
“Hopefully, the composition of his Cabinet will not be all about reciprocating the support of those MPs who endorsed his candidacy as the new prime minister. Instead, it should comprise qualified MPs who are able to work for the welfare and interest of the people and the country.
“Most importantly, it is high time for the prime minister to downsize the cabinet and bravely remove those underperforming ministers in the previous administration,” said Chai, who is also Sarawak Business Federation secretary-general.
Meanwhile, Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry treasurer-general Bell Bernard Aggan felt that it would be good for Sarawak to hold the deputy prime minister post together with an important portfolio such as the Ministry of Rural Development.
“This is relevant to our state’s needs; we need to develop our rural areas fast in order to narrow the gap with urban development and income.”
He pointed out that Sarawak’s rural areas were still far behind, especially with regard to infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supply.
