PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Steven Sim has urged Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to take over the role of plantation industries and commodities minister instead of electing a new one to replace Zuraida Kamaruddin.
In a statement, the Bukit Mertajam MP said parties in the government are now racing to fill the vacant ministerial post since Zuraida announced her resignation on Thursday.
“I suggest that Ismail take over the post without pay until the current parliamentary term expires,” he said.
He added that it would not make sense to elect someone new because the new minister will need several months to organise his or her team.
He cites four other reasons for Ismail to assume the position instead of electing someone new.
Sim said it would reduce the size of Ismail’s “giant” Cabinet which has about 68 ministers, not including ambassadors and advisers to the prime minister.
“It is wasteful especially when the government has failed to address various problems faced by the people since the pandemic and more recently the management of poultry subsidies,” he said.
He added that in five years the role of plantation industries and commodities minister has changed three times, adversely impacting the industry and the ministry itself.
“If Ismail takes over, it will increase the stability within the ministry and no major changes would need to be implemented in terms of policy or organisational structure,” he said.
He pointed out that the prime minister will be able to provide better leadership to the ministry and revive the Malaysian plantation sector.
Sim said another reason would be to stop the power struggle between the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) and Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“The ongoing power struggle between the two parties is no secret and if Ismail does not appoint a new minister, he will not offend any party in the government that is vying for that post,” he said, adding that it would also compel other component parties in the government to focus on governing the country better.
Sim added that not replacing Zuraida with a new minister would also save the public’s money, especially since the price of goods is increasing.
On May 26, Ampang MP Zuraida issued a statement saying she was leaving Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and that she would be leaving the Cabinet as well.
While Zuraida’s predecessor, Khairuddin Aman Razali said she should remain as minister, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said her Cabinet post must go back to someone from Bersatu, calling it part of the “quota” for his party.
Others have also called for one of her two deputy ministers, Willie Mongin, who is also from Bersatu, to be made minister. MCA’s Wee Jeck Seng is the other deputy minister.
However, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Zuraida will remain in the Cabinet for now. - FMT
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