KUALA Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said he was surprised when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled his new Cabinet last Friday but disclosed that he understood the challenges and restrictions the prime minister faced in choosing his ministers.
According to FMT, the former health minister noted that he “could have chosen to be negative” over his omission from the Cabinet line-up but said “everyone must be positive for the sake of the new government”.
“I do not want to take the matter to heart because I believe that the challenges our 10th prime minister is facing aren’t easy (to overcome),” he told the news portal.
“This isn’t a Pakatan Harapan government but a unity government. I believe this is the best decision for all.”
The Amanah strategic director further pointed out that Anwar had “other plans in mind” for him to contribute to the country’s development, especially in the healthcare sector, adding that he could serve in any platform given.
“Although he has dropped me, maybe he has thought about my role based on my experience and capabilities,” he said.
Last Friday’s Cabinet announcement had drawn flak from netizens who questioned why Dr Dzulkefly – alongside familiar faces like Yeo Bee Yin and Gobind Singh Deo – were side-lined from the Cabinet while Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz was made a minister despite his Kuala Selangor defeat.
Dzulkefly has won the seat with 31,033 votes in a close shave against Tengku Zafrul who garnered 30,031 votes in the 15th general election (GE15). – Dec 5, 2022
