By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 26: An online poll conducted by DayakDaily shows that 80 per cent of respondents are in favour of having a deputy prime minister from Sarawak.
A total of 3,146 votes were received for the poll which asked, “Do you think there should be a deputy prime minister from Sarawak?” with 2,502 “yes” votes and 644 saying it was unnecessary.
The simple poll started from Oct 14, 2022 at 6.52pm and ended on Oct 25, 2022 at 3.03pm.
The subject of appointing a Sarawakian DPM was earlier raised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who recently said it was an idea that was not too farfetched.
The subject was recently cast into the public spotlight again due to the 15th General Election polling on Nov 19, 2022, where Sarawak ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is expected to control at least 80 per cent out of the total 31 parliamentary seats.
Public support for Sarawak to regain its lost status as an equal partner grew significantly following the awakening call by former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem before his passing. Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) under its present chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has placed it on the coalition’s top agenda for Sarawak, along with Abang Johari’s vision to digitise and build a green Sarawak.
Appointing a Sarawakian as deputy prime minister is not a new notion, as the idea has been mooted before, with Abdul Karim saying it as early as April this year, pointing out that a Sarawakian should be appointed to the post.
A DayakDaily reader who wished to remain anonymous, though expressing support for the idea, believed that Sarawak should aim higher and look further like Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
“We should not just be contented with having a deputy prime minister. Rather GPS should go to contest in Peninsular Malaysia, like Warisan.
“We have only 31 seats and we will always be under the mercy of Peninsular Malaysia. But if we have enough seats including the Peninsular Malaysian seats, then we will have a big say in decision-making,” said the reader. — DayakDaily
