DIVERTING from the norm by not instantaneously naming his Cabinet is not a sign of weakness as newly minted Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants to ensure a solid foundation is in place before his Cabinet line-up is revealed.
Chief among his concerns is the need to listen to all views given that his unity government not only involved many parties, but the eventuality of having to downsize his Cabinet – an action which can ruffle the feather of those who found themselves deserving but being left out.
Set against such backdrop, EMIR Research president and CEO Datuk Dr Rais Hussin has urged Malaysians to trust Anwar’s judgment, in particular his moral authority to steer Malaysia out of the numerous adversities it is currently facing.
“It is therefore not strange to see the likes of Professor James Chin of University of Tasmania and the bureau chief of Singapore’s Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur, both of whom are Malaysians, to wonder if Malaysia can stay intact as a grand coalition,” the think tank founder pointed out.
“The issue is of course they can. If they don’t, not only will the nation feel the full whiplash effects of the triple whammy, but it would be trapped in the escalating cost of the food, animal feed, fuel and fertiliser, all of which can be compounded by the insidious effects of financial leakages of Malaysia’s national subsidy programmes that runs of tens of billions of ringgit.”
Henceforth, instead of forming a Cabinet first which is concurrently being discussed with other Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition partners, Rais said it makes valid sense for the PH chairman to also focus on rallying civil servants to support his cause as evident in his address to staff of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Putrajaya this morning’s (Nov 29).
“Anwar has also focused on instructing civil servants to look into how to ensure that the Council of Living Cost is able to focus on ensuring that the highly targeted subsidies programme can ensure top notch deliverables to ensure that the cost of living, especially on food items, moderates”.
Rais also credited the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition for finally conceded on Saturday (Nov 26) that PH who has won the 15th General Election (GE15) by congratulating Anwar.
“In a functioning and working democracy, effective and strong opposition is critical towards rebuilding this nation. PN through Bersatu, PAS and lesser Gerakan can play that part, both in and out of the Parliament,” justified the former Bersatu supreme council member.
“It is important to note that all must stop immediately the escalation of identity politics of race and religion, two very combustible toxic elements in politics.”
Main pic credit: Sadiq Asyraf/Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
