SIBU: The next prime minister should look into introducing additional deputy prime minister (DPM) posts for members of parliament from Sarawak and Sabah as now is the time, said Dr Gregory Hii.
The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Board member emphasised that the timing is right as the two states have very capable people who are not inferior to leaders in the peninsula.
“It is the right thing to do considering that Sarawak and Sabah helped form Malaysia by being equal partners. It was not done when Malaysia was first formed,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune today (Oct 15).
“A DPM from Sarawak should be in a stronger and senior position to lobby for more budget to meet the needs of Sarawak as he has first-hand knowledge of Sarawak’s development.
“Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) needs to win big in the 15th General Election (GE15) to have stronger bargaining muscle to negotiate with peninsula parties for a better deal for Sarawak,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said that having a DPM from Sarawak and Sabah will reflect the two states’ position as equal partners.
However, Lee noted that the most important is a ministerial position with an important portfolio that can help Sabah and Sarawak’s development and that the state should be considered for the Finance Minister post.
“What’s the meaning of a DPM post without an important ministry? They can simply create two or three DPM posts just to please Sabah and Sarawak.
“Should we have the Finance Minister post, we can be directly involved with the financial planning. Which is which and which should be given priority. More project requests by Sabah and Sarawak can be approved,” he said.
Lee pointed out that with GPS participating in the GE15 as an independent party with no allies or alliance with any political parties, having a DPM or ministerial post with an important portfolio from Sabah and Sarawak can be implemented.
“In Sabah recently, Warisan tried to portray they are GPS’ partner to form a Borneo bloc which is a self-proclamation to get Sabahans inclined to support a local-based party.
“After the Sheraton Move, we saw GPS become the kingmaker in forming the federal government. Of course, if GPS wins big it can have bigger bargaining power.
“Hopefully GPS can win 25 or 26 seats. It’s time for the urban voters in Sarawak to change their inclination towards the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to try Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP). No harm after so many years entrusting their vote to the opposition, this time give it to SUPP,” Lee said.
