Cabinet discipline under question after minister’s outburst

Darell Leiking has publicly scoffed at his colleague Redzuan Yusof’s proposal for greater jurisdiction.

PETALING JAYA: A less-than-diplomatic response by a minister to a colleague who was hoping to expand his jurisdiction has brought under question the organisational discipline among some leaders in the Pakatan Harapan government.

A source told FMT that many senior officials were uneasy with remarks from International Trade and Industry Minister Darrell Leiking, in response to Entrepreneur Development Minister Redzuan Yusof’s suggestion for an expansion of the latter’s ministry.

“Leiking had overreacted to Redzuan’s comment,” the source told FMT, adding that many felt that Leiking, the Warisan deputy president, was not displaying teamwork.

Redzuan had reportedly said he envisioned an expansion of his ministry’s scope to include trade and investment as well.

Leiking subsequently said ministers should focus on their roles and portfolios to assist Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in governing the country.

He said each ministry had a different role, and that the responsibility of the entrepreneur development ministry was to encourage the development of entrepreneurs across the board.

The source quoted a senior official who told him that Leiking appeared unclear on the field of entrepreneurship.

“It covers all sectors of the economy, from agriculture to health and transport. Certain issues might be related to more than one ministry,” the source said, quoting the official.

“When the entrepreneur development ministry is involved in agro-entrepreneurship, it does not mean it is competing with the agriculture ministry.

“Similarly, when an entrepreneur ventures into international trade, it does not mean it is competing with the international trade and industry ministry.”

The official added that entrepreneurs encompassed more than just small-time traders.

“You’re talking about everyone, from micro-credit entrepreneurs to the likes of AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes. He is also an entrepreneur, but on a much larger scale.”

“Leiking is being defensive for no reason.” - FMT