PSM appeared to be the first off the starting block to commend Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for dropping V Sivakumar as the human resources minister.
Whereas PAS chimed in with a sardonic swipe at the cabinet size, which has grown from 28 to 31.
PSM, which is known for championing issues related to workers, said Sivakumar is the sole human resources minister it could not work with.
“We are especially thrilled that the human resources minister has been replaced,” said deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan in a statement.
Earlier, Anwar announced that Steven Sim, the current deputy finance minister II, would helm the human resources portfolio.
In May, the contracts for five of Sivakumar’s aides were terminated following an MACC investigation involving the recruitment of foreign workers. The minister was also questioned over the scandal.
Arutchelvan also lauded Anwar over his revamped cabinet, which included new faces and several former leaders making a comeback, saying it showed that the prime minister listened to his critics.
“Since the PM now has a solid two-thirds majority and his claim that his cabinet’s roof is concrete, we hope real institutional reforms will be carried out and the long-due reformasi goals and dreams are executed.
“Also, the current cabinet has a good layer of mature and experienced politicians. We wish them the best,” he added.
Over the weekend, Anwar had refuted claims there would be attempts to topple his coalition government, likening the strong cooperation between the component parties to a “concrete roof”.
‘Big or small, Anwar is right’
Meanwhile, PAS information chief Fadli Shaari said Anwar could do no wrong.
“When he downsized the cabinet, this was (touted) as the government being prudent and its predecessors were extravagant.
“When the cabinet is enlarged, this proves the government is considerate.
“He (Anwar) is always right,” he added.
Apart from 31 ministers, the new line-up also boasts of 29 deputy ministers with two more additions.
During the Pakatan Harapan era from 2018-2022, there were 28 ministers and 27 deputy ministers.
Under his successors, Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the number of ministers and deputy ministers grew to a record 32 and 38 respectively.
PAS, which is a member of the Perikatan Nasional coalition and holds the most number of parliamentary seats, was part of both these administrations. - Mkini
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