GPS leverage keeps Sarawak DAP out in the cold

 

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii is left out, but Hanifah Hajar Taib is among those from GPS who were appointed.

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst believes that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has managed to extract the “maximum concession” from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, after the Sarawak coalition was given five ministerial and six deputy minister posts.

On the other hand, Sarawak DAP has been totally left out, with none of its five MPs among the DAP representatives appointed ministers or deputy ministers.

Political analyst James Chin of the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said the strength of GPS could have arisen from conditions set by GPS in exchange for its support for Anwar to become prime minister.

There might have been “sort of an ‘unconditional condition’ to not give positions to (Sarawak) DAP, in return for support from GPS”, Chin told FMT.

He said many in Sarawak would have been disappointed that Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii missed out, despite his capabilities.

Chin said it was remarkable that many MPs from Sabah and Sarawak were made deputy ministers, especially those from GPS when the party already held five ministerial posts.

He said some Sarawakians returning as deputy ministers had not done a good job in the previous government.

Universiti Malaya lecturer Awang Azman Pawi said the line-up of deputy ministers reflected the collective voice of the parties in the government, as well as the racial position in Malaysia.

“The line-up of deputy ministers looks like a ‘dream team’ that completes the current Cabinet line-up,” he said.

Awang Azman also hailed the appointment of Ahmad Maslan and Steven Sim as deputy finance ministers; he said the two, from Umno and DAP, had their own capabilities and good reputations.

“The combination of three minds from DAP, Barisan Nasional and PKR (in finance minister Anwar) could boost the people’s confidence towards the nation’s finances,” he said.

He also said the appointment of Hanifah Hajar Taib as deputy economic affairs minister was a good move since she used to be active in the corporate and economic sector prior to joining politics.

Hanifah is the daughter of Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud. - FMT