Two DPM posts should have been created long ago

KUCHING: The federal government should have created two deputy prime minister posts, with one allocated to either Sarawak or Sabah, a long time ago, said political analyst Dick Lembang Dugun.

He said the proposal should even have been made during Barisan Nasional’s (BN) governance of over 50 years.

“Nevertheless, it is never too late to have this idea now rather than not having the idea at all, so move this on for the coming 15^th general election (GE15),” he said when contacted on Friday (Aug 20).

The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) lecturer was commenting on the suggestion by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing last Thursday.

Masing had also said that if one of the two proposed deputy prime minister posts was to be filled by an MP from Sarawak, then Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should decide on the candidate.

However, Dick said that if such a position were to be given to Sabah or Sarawak just to entice support, then it should not be done.

“Sincerity and autonomy must be given to the Deputy Prime Minister chosen from either Sabah or Sarawak in handling matters for both states. This way, it will be meaningful and this post may bring positive impact to the Bornean states,” he said.

However, he stressed that this should not be the focus now as priority should be given to combating the current Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the people and the various sectors.

He also noted that for now, GPS had bargaining power in the current political scenario.

“But it is not the right time because I believe the next federal government should focus on handling the pandemic and managing the economy rather than on strengthening their party or power,” he said.

Dick said once the pandemic has been effectively handled and normalcy returns, then Parliament should be dissolved to make way for GE15.

“This is the main task of the incoming government. Don’t go beyond this,” he urged.

He added that negotiations for one of two deputy prime minister posts to be filled by a leader from Sarawak or Sabah should then only be made nearer to GE15, once the pandemic had been dealt with.