Wan Azizah should get health portfolio, says Perak MCA

Deputy Prime Minister-designate Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would make a fine health minister, said Perak MCA head Dr Mah Hang Soon.

In a statement today, Mah, who was among Ipoh's most famous cardiologists before entering politics, said Wan Azizah is a highly qualified medical practitioner.

"She graduated as an ophthalmologist from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, which awarded her a Gold Medal for her skills in obstetrics and gynaecology.

"She also had 14 years of experience under her belt serving as a government doctor, and hence would be best suited to reform any weaknesses in the Health Ministry, besides advancing the health sector in Malaysia," he said.

Mah said Perak MCA was offering constructive criticisms on the running of the country, despite the suggestion being contradictory to Pakatan Harapan's manifesto barring the prime minister from holding two portfolios.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, another medical doctor, named himself as the next education minister on grounds that he had a prescription to cure the ailing education system.

When Malaysiakini pointed out to several Harapan leaders that Mahathir's move violated their own election pledges, they claimed that this was an oversight.

Harapan's manifesto does not impose the same restriction on the deputy prime minister.

Despite Harapan's contradictory position, Mah said Perak MCA was willing to accept that Mahathir, a former education minister, may be the best man for the job.

He said this raises questions as to why Wan Azizah was given an additional portfolio - women's affairs - when it was not mentioned as one of the 10 cabinet portfolios initially announced by Mahathir.

"Meaning it was a role recently created. Was Wan Azizah's appointed portfolio intended to placate PKR members that their president is, too, allowed to dual-wield ministerial roles just like him?" asked Mah.

Mahathir's 13 cabinet members are expected to take their oath of office on Monday. -Mkini