‘No party was sidelined’

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the appointment of three senior ministers on Saturday was made without sidelining any party in Pakatan Harapan.

He said other than the PH Presidential Council, decisions were also made through the “Top Five Leaders” Committee chaired by himself and comprised the four PH component party presidents.

He said this was because it was difficult for the Presidential Council to meet regularly or decide on something immediately.

“This is how we do it when setting up a certain body or naming core ministers. All five (in the committee) know what was decided, and it is their responsibility if they have to report it to their parties. Otherwise, we will confirm these decisions in the Presidential Council. The Presidential Council is considered the highest council.”

On Saturday, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli claimed that the appointments of top leaders from PPBM, Amanah and DAP as cabinet ministers were made without negotiation with PKR.

Dr Mahathir named DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as finance minister, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu as defence minister and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said decisions would be made on the principle of “the majority rules”, because it would not always be possible to reach a consensus.

“With the ‘the majority rules’ (principle), it would make decision-making better and more efficient. That has been the arrangement in Pakatan Harapan until now.”

He said the government required a cabinet to be set up as soon as possible.

“To set up a full cabinet will take time as each party needs to discuss among themselves to put forward the names and posts they wish to hold.”