PH still shortlisting Cabinet nominees

Dr M may not be able to name entire line-up by next week as expected

KLANG: Since winning the general election a month ago, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may still not be able to name his entire Cabinet lineup by this week or early next week as expected.

This is because the shortlisting of candidates is still being carried out by the Pakatan Harapan partner parties – PKR, DAP, Pribumi and Amanah.

PKR, for instance, had prepared an interim list of 10 names but several individuals from that list have been replaced, said a party source.

“I believe PKR will be getting nine seats and we have already filled two with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin,” said the source.

He said Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and KulimBandar Baharu MP Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail are expected to be at the top of the PKR list when it is handed in to Dr Mahathir.

“Saifuddin Abdullah has been proposed as the Foreign Minister as he has what it takes to represent Malaysia globally.

“And Saifuddin Nasution is a strong Anwar loyalist who has been there since the Reformasi days,” said the source.

He said it was a big challenge for the PKR top leadership to select can didates as many had been loyal to the party since its inception in the 90s.

“If Tian Chua had contested, chances of him being a minister would have been high,” said the source.

The source said another definite ministerial candidate is Kuala Langat MP Dr Xavier Jayakumar who is said to be suited for the Works Ministry.

As for DAP, an elected representative said the party is unsure whether it will get three or four more positions, in addition to the four it already holds.

“DAP is expected to name Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming to fill up its quota,” said the source, noting that Kok might be given the Tourism portfolio, while the ministerial position for Nga is a reward of sorts for “slaying” Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong in the polls.

DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai has declined a ministerial position, sources said.

When contacted, Tan confirmed that he does not have a “strong desire” to be a Cabinet minister.

The source said DAP has also put in the name for a representative from Sarawak and it is likely to be the state’s DAP chairman and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen.

As for Amanah and Pribumi, the only speculation is that Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad may be Amanah’s choice for a ministerial post.

Pribumi Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s name is also said to be submitted for a ministerial position, most likely the Youth and Sports portfolio.

Currently, 12 ministers have been appointed, and 13 portfolios filled with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail helming the Women and Family Development Ministry as well.

In the present Cabinet lineup, both Pribumi and Amanah have three ministers each while DAP has four and PKR two.

Sabah is expected to get two to three ministerial positions while Sarawak is expected to get one more position in addition to DAP’s Chong.