Cabinet: All parties consulted
PM hints smaller line-up means not everyone can get what they want
The formation of the unity government Cabinet will be made as soon as possible a er taking into account the views of all parties in the government, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the ma er must be looked into as the size of the Cabinet in the unity government would be reduced.
“As I said, this is not usual. This unity government involves eight parties.
“If in the past (when the previous government) came in, 50, 60 (Cabinet members were appointed) it was okay…if that wasn’t enough, ambassadors and special advisers (were also appointed). I am not willing to do that,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters a er chairing the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Council Meeting at the PKR Headquarters here yesterday.
Asked about the possibility of Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi joining the Cabinet, Anwar said: “We will take everyone’s views into account in the discussion.
“But we know in terms of the law, only a er there is a punishment meted out (when a person is proven guilty by the court)... others (who are not yet proven guilty) we can consider,” he said.
This was the first PH Presidential Council Meeting a er Anwar was appointed as the 10th Prime Minister.
Among the main PH leaders present were PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, while Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and representatives of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) were also present.
Anwar also stressed that the vote of confidence motion on him would still be presented at the Dewan Rakyat session on Dec 19, although there were PH leaders who believed that the motion did not need to be tabled as there was no issue surrounding Anwar’s legitimacy as Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, he said the meeting yesterday among other things discussed the latest developments in PH a er facing GE15, in addition to sharing the result of his special meeting with the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya earlier yesterday.
Sultan Hassanal held a bilateral meeting with Anwar in conjunction with His Majesty’s special visit to Malaysia to strengthen bilateral ties.
A er the Sultan’s aircra touched down at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang, about 41 kilometres from here, His Majesty himself drove a car carrying his son Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen Bolkiah and Anwar to Kompleks Seri Perdana for the meeting.
The meeting was to review the progress of cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam as well as to explore the potential for enhancing bilateral relationship and cooperation for their mutual benefit.
Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen and Malaysian Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali were present at the meeting.
Sultan Hassanal is the first foreign leader to meet Anwar a er his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia on Nov 24.
Anwar and Sultan Hassanal spent almost an hour at the meeting. The two leaders also exchanged souvenirs at the end of the meeting, which was followed by a luncheon.
Meanwhile, PH communications director Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil said yesterday’s coalition meeting also discussed issues such as the cost of living as well as the risk of floods following the continuous rain warning issued by the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Fahmi said the Prime Minister also informed them that the police had been ordered to take strict action against any party that spread slander against him.
“Anwar does not intend to take action against public criticism of him such as wearing ‘capal’ (sandals) (when clocking into the Prime Minister’s Office).
“But we draw the line against elements of slander such as accusing Anwar of being an agent of Israel and so on...he (Prime Minister) has asked the police to take action,” he said.
Anwar was sworn in as Prime Minister last Thursday and leads a unity government comprising PH which has 82 seats, followed by BN (30 seats), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six) and other parties.
If in the past (when the previous government) came in, 50, 60 (Cabinet members were appointed) it was okay… I am not willing to do that.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim