Some names for Mahathir’s cabinet

QUESTION TIME | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad together with his Pakatan Harapan colleagues is going to have a tough time coming up with a cabinet list which he probably has to finalise before the holidays are over.

Uppermost in his mind in deciding the list has to be the way the parties comprising Harapan have performed, the racial composition of the country, and most important of all the commitment, dedication, integrity, ability, competency and qualifications of those who would-be ministers.

Next, he should consider that the process of change was started by many a long time ago and these people should be given preference over others who became MPs in the last stages of the campaign when the momentum had already been created towards a new government.

In keeping with his role as overseer of change, and maintain focus, he should hold no other position other than that of the prime minister, leaving him free to poke his nose into all areas to ensure the overall principles and promises agreed under Harapan’s manifesto are adhered to.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also a medical doctor which thereby marks the first time that the top two posts are simultaneously held by medical doctors, is head of PKR and unofficially holds the mandate of ensuring a smooth transition to her husband Anwar Ibrahim for prime minister when the time comes. She could take a portfolio such as home to aid this process.

Over and above these, it would be good for the great Lim Kit Siang to be given a role in the cabinet in keeping with his long track-record and stature as one who championed good governance in government over many decades, never wavering from the good fight throughout.

The others who will become ministers as a matter of course because of their positions in the party are DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, and Warisan’s Shafie Apdal.

It is relevant to consider the strength of each party in the coalition which is as shown in the table.

If we assume a reduced 24-person cabinet, then the numbers would roughly be PKR 9 cabinet positions, DAP 8, Bersatu 2-3, Amanah 2, and Warisan 1-2. In practice, these ratios may not be adhered to closely because of other considerations.

While those are the main considerations in forming the cabinet, here are some names we would like to see in the cabinet. While we highlight ministries where he/she may be most suited where possible, they probably will do well anywhere.

Rafizi Ramli - This popular PKR person needs no introduction and has worked tirelessly for governance within government, for example, National Feedlot Corporation (NFC). He did not stand for elections because he was convicted for an offence which is now on appeal. He would be good for the Finance Ministry but to facilitate that he needs to be made a senator first. If that’s not possible now, then he should at least be considered for a minister’s position later.

Tony Pua - This smart, articulate Oxford graduate in philosophy, politics, and economics has an eye for detail and economic matters. Lately he has shown his talent for acting in a series of humorous videos on 1MDB. This DAP man is among the less than handful of people outside of 1MDB who really understands what happened here. He could be a good candidate for Mahathir’s proposed new Economy Ministry or the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

R Sivarasa - This long-time PKR man has a first degree in genetics and subsequently read law at Oxford under a Rhodes scholarship. He would be ideal for things involving law, human rights and related subjects. If there is a law ministry he might be a great candidate.

Liew Chin Tong - Liew is an extremely dedicated DAP person who is both a great backroom person who pores over the numbers and one who works the street tirelessly. Unfortunately, he lost to Wee Ka Siong of MCA at the extremely tough seat of Ayer Hitam. Like Rafizi, he may need the senator route to become a minister, if not now, then later.

Saifuddin Abdullah - This former deputy higher education minister when he was with Umno left to join PKR over that RM2.6 billion “donation” to former prime minister Najib Razak and other issues. He was considered a rising star in Umno itself until he lost in Temerloh in the 2013 elections.

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad - This Amanah man, who is an ex-PAS leader, holds a doctorate in toxicology from Imperial College London (St Mary’s Hospital). He is articulate, personable, extremely well-liked and writes a popular blog. He likes to engage people in discussion to find ways and means.

Hannah Yeoh - This wildly popular DAP MP for Segambut is not only a tireless, energetic worker but already has a fantastically good grasp of issues in her new constituency, such as problems at the Bukit Kiara Park. She has promised to call in the MACC on former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to investigate all the property deals made in Kuala Lumpur. She was already shaking hands this morning with her constituents at the market in Taman Tun Dr Ismail where I was having breakfast and would make an ideal FT minister.

Ong Kian Ming - One of the thinkers and researchers in DAP, he holds a doctorate from Duke University and is MP for one of the most populous constituencies in Malaysia, Bangi. His thoughtful and academic ways where what he says is backed with facts and figures will contribute to the quality of the cabinet.

Nurul Izzah Anwar - She is articulate, genial, well-liked and Anwar’s daughter. She will likely form a phalanx of future young leaders together with the likes of Rafizi Ramli and Tony Pua and deserves early exposure in the cabinet.

Gobind Singh Deo - This son of the late DAP stalwart Karpal Singh is also a lawyer like his father and is fearless, strong, speaks his mind and highly principled. He will help to keep the cabinet on the straight and narrow, much needed during these times.

This is not an exhaustive list but almost a list of spontaneous names that come to mind immediately. No one should be offended for not being included here. No doubt you, the reader, will have your own favourites. Feel free to add them in the comments section and give the reasons for your choice.

Our previous cabinet included clowns and incompetents among them. This is an opportunity to inject integrity, commitment, dedication, intelligence and youth into the cabinet, which should not be lost. Ultimately, the success of change/ubah will rest heavily on the cabinet. We need good people here right from the start.

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P GUNASEGARAM says a cabinet appointed purely on political considerations is the road to disaster. E-mail: t.p.guna@gmail.com. - Mkini