By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 11: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s decision to turn down his federal Cabinet appointment as National Unity Deputy Minister.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin informed that he has accepted Tiong’s, who is Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president, decision.
“He (Tiong) has expressed he is not willing to accept (the position), that is ok, it is his choice. It is something that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented, but if he feels it is not suitable for whatever reasons, we will accept that.
“I have to find another person that will be nominated to the King to fill that position in the Ministry of National Unity. We will do that,” he told a press conference after chairing the first federal Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
Muhyiddin added that Tiong however has expressed that he wanted to serve the nation in a different capacity.
“I will be meeting him tomorrow and we will talk about it,” he said.
Meanwhile, PDP secretary-general Datuk Nelson Balang Rining confirmed yesterday (March 10) that it was the party’s decision for Tiong to turn down the Cabinet appointment.
“We believe that he (Tiong) should not take up the job. He has been a senior MP, for five terms. Not only that, he is also the party president. How could they offer him a portfolio like that? At least, he shoild be made a full minister,” he told DayakDaily.
The decision was made following the PDP Supreme Council meeting on March 9. —DayakDaily
