Some in party say not enough ministers from DAP

PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister’s choice of ministerial candidates is “unreasonable and shows disrespect for the Pakatan Harapan component parties”, says DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chairman Wong Kah Woh.

In a statement, Wong said DAP only got six minister posts although it held 42 parliamentary seats, the second highest in Pakatan after PKR.

“The Prime Minister’s act is unreasonable as the list does not follow the number of seats won by each party to reflect the will of the people.

“Furthermore, such a decision also shows no regard for the proposals made by the leadership of fellow component parties,” he said yesterday.

Wong said among those in the list of ministerial candidates proposed by the DAP leadership were Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming (pic) and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen.

Nga was left out while Chong was picked to be Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumerism Minister.

Wong clarified that his views were not intended to snatch any ministerial positions but to respect the people’s wishes, defend the party’s dignity and ensure no single party was too powerful within Pakatan.

“When all four Pakatan parties trusted the Prime Minister to choose and appoint ministers, this also means we expect the prime minister to appoint his Cabinet from the list of candidates given by the parties.

“In terms of experience, abilities and qualifications, our candidates excelled in all aspects and were key national leaders for DAP who had contributed to Pakatan’s big win in the general election,” he added.

Wong said Dapsy did not deny that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was capable of choosing talented leaders, nor did it deny the abilities of the appointed ministers.

However, he said only the party leaders would understand the qualifications and abilities of the candidates they had suggested.

“Pakatan may have given absolute power to the Prime Minister to determine the Cabinet, but he must listen to the views of his fellow leaders when making the appointments.

“Now the DAP’s suggestions have been set aside. In future, should the DAP secretary-general (Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng) have his appointment rejected for whatever reason, will DAP also be forced to accept that kind of decision?” he asked.

It is learnt that a number of the DAP members was unhappy that Chong, who is Sarawak DAP chairman, only got a deputy minister’s post while Nga, the party’s Perak chairman, was not selected.

Sarawak DAP’s Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei said he received calls from supporters who were disappointed that Chong was not made a full minister.

“They were expecting Chong to be made a minister so they called to ask why. But in the end, they agreed that the stability of the Government is more important.

“They hope that the Government can deliver good policies,” he added.

Wong, who is Sarawak DAP publicity secretary, believed that there would be a discussion on the party’s proposed list of names.

“Whatever it is, the party leadership is working on the basis of respecting the prerogative of the Prime Minister in appointing Cabinet members. What is more important than the positions we get is the stability of the Government,” he said.

Prior to GE14, Lim said that Chong, Nga and Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong would be recommended for Cabinet posts if they won their seats.

Chong and Nga won, but Liew lost the Ayer Hitam seat to MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Nga tweeted yesterday to express his gratitude to those who had supported him.

“Please continue to support Pakatan Harapan government led by our PM,” he wrote.

A number of users, who commented on his tweet, urged him to protest for not being made a minister.

During the campaigning period, a controversial video of Nga taking a dig at Dr Mahathir’s age during a ceramah went viral. Nga later apologised.