Guan Eng contains fallout from Nga's cabinet snub

DAP appears to have contained the fallout from Perak party chief Nga Kor Ming being left out from the cabinet lineup.

Asked today about the snub, DAP secretary-general and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said he is in close contact with Nga on a daily basis.

A photograph from earlier this week shows him and Nga smiling as they are exiting a DAP central executive committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Describing Nga’s reaction to being left out as “positive” and “very supportive,” Lim said that disappointments are part and parcel of politics.

"Disappointments are bound to happen, it is only natural, who is not disappointed?

"It's not only those who missed out from posts (who are disappointed), but their supporters as well," he told Malaysiakini.

Regardless, Lim stressed, DAP leaders are putting the country’s interests ahead of their own.

"A good example is Lim Kit Siang, who is not fighting for any rewards. He is a symbol of selfless service," Lim said of his father, who similarly did not receive any ministerial post after the 14th general election.

"He does not expect any rewards, but wants to see a better Malaysia, this is what his political struggle is all about.”

Speculation was rife that DAP members were disgruntled after Nga and Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen were initially left out from the cabinet lineup.

On the GE14 campaign trail, Lim had promised to recommend the pair as cabinet ministers if Pakatan Harapan managed to form the federal government.

Though Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later appointed Chong as domestic trade and consumer affairs deputy minister, there were no positions for Nga.

Lim was in Penang to attend the launch of ICCL Phase 5, a one-stop centre for Regional Distribution and Centre of Excellence for Halal Logistics in Bukit Tengah.

Also present were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Gooi Hsiao Leong and ICCL group managing director Kevin Lim.

Lim also attended the launch of DAP service centres in Berapit with assemblyperson Heng Lee Lee and Air Itam with assemblyperson Joseph Ng.

'Accept decision with an open heart'

Echoing Lim's sentiments, Chow noted that many other DAP leaders did not make it to the cabinet as well.

Despite the party winning 46 parliamentary seats, he said, it only has six ministers and six deputy ministers in the cabinet.

"There are 30 who did not get any appointments in the federal government, including top DAP leaders.

"We are grateful that our top party leaders accept the reality that in a new government, there will be some who will not get any posts, and they accept it with an open heart.

"We hope our comrades who obtained pists can represent the party and help influence government policies so that they are in line with the party's struggles," the chief minister said in his speech in Berapit. - Mkini