Nurul Izzah: Stop griping over ministry positions

BUKIT MERTAJAM: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar says there should be no griping about Cabinet appointments and that Pakatan Harapan should be allowed to focus on its agenda.

Responding to colleague Rafizi Ramli’s reservations over the Cabinet appointments announced on Saturday, she said Pakatan should “take its cue from the people”.

Nurul Izzah said Rafizi is a good friend whose contributions she values, but said he was not able to be appointed to Cabinet under his present circumstance.

Rafizi, also a PKR vice-president, said in a statement on Saturday that his party had not been consulted on the Cabinet appointments announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Nurul Izzah, the newly-elected Permatang Pauh MP, said the decision should be seen positively.

“We are reminded by the people that we need to focus on the agenda at hand and work in the spirit of optimism to ensure a people-centric administration,” she added during a thanksgiving feast in Penanti.

After Rafizi’s remarks went viral, thousands took to social media to chide him, including former Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan who tweeted “PKR, please stop your nonsense”.

PKR’s Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said any disagreement over ministerial posts should be resolved through consultation.

DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh posted on Twitter: “What makes a respectable politician is not just the act of speaking up.

“Timing and motive matter. Discipline and wisdom are the gatekeepers of our lips.”

Pakatan Harapan’s latest recurit Minority Rights Action Party (MIRA) also joined the chorus, saying it endorsed the appointment of the four ministers by Dr Mahathir.

“Guan Eng and Ahmad Sabu are correct choices for their portfolios, said acting president S .Francis Rhajahh.