FORMER Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leader A Kadir Jasin today took a potshot at East Malaysian politicians, calling them to stop “begging” for a deputy prime minister post from Putrajaya.
“I urge our leaders from East Malaysia not to ‘beg’ for a separate deputy prime minister post from the Federal Government.
“The truth is, if our Sabah and Sarawak leaders unite and make full use of their autonomy, deputy prime ministership aside, they can even get the prime minister’s post!
“I’m sorry to say but their extreme attachment to state sentiment is costing them dearly,” he said, in a Facebook post.
Following Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin resignation, the Opposition bloc had mooted PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah Heritage Party president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to become prime minister.
The Opposition bloc had also claimed that both leaders had an understanding, where Anwar would first try to gain majority support but if he fails, Pakatan would throw their lot behind Shafie.
Eventually, the top job went to Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was also supported by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Last week, New Straits Times reported Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as saying that it was time Putrajaya appointed a deputy prime minister from East Malaysia to recognise the importance of both states.
“Thus, I fully support the proposal to appoint Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi as the deputy prime minister.
“He is a senior and experienced parliamentarian and has proved his capability when he was a deputy minister and recently as a full minister at the federal level,” Abdul Karim was reported saying.
Leave “court cluster” out from Cabinet team
Touching on the upcoming Cabinet appointment, Kadir urged Ismail Sabri to leave out the “court cluster” from the list, adding that such a move would even trigger outcry among Umno grassroots who are clamouring for a change.
He also said that even Ismail Sabri’s former boss, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had openly stated in the past that he wanted to focus on clearing his name before pursuing other things.
“Our monarchs have spoken against tainted leaders. Perak Ruler, Sultan Nazrin Shah who is also our Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong had decreed that the corrupt and immoral should never be considered for public office. Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah even decreed that his state has no place for corrupt leaders.
“So, I urge Ismail Sabri to take heed of the public’s disgust over the corrupt and immoral and get our police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to vet your candidates thoroughly,’ Kadir remarked. – Aug 24, 2021.
