By Chris Bishop
KUCHING, April 16: Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Sarawak and Sabah should be given the post of Deputy Prime Minister.
According to him, both regions have played an important role since the formation of Malaysia and should be given high positions in the country’s administration.
“In my personal opinion, if not the post of prime minster, then it is not wrong for Sarawak and Sabah to be given the position of deputy prime minister.
“Maybe (the federal government can consider) two deputy prime minister posts (for Sarawak and Sabah each) or one post (for Sarawak and Sabah) to rotate,” he said at a press conference during the Ramadan Kasih Belia Program at a hotel here today.
Regarding the decision of the UMNO Supreme Council to nominate Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 15th General Election (GE15), he saw it as a positive development.
Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, said the decision would stabilise the country’s political situation.
“If too many from UMNO are nominated, it is possible that the people will not accept some due to these individuals’ pending court cases.
“It will cause instability,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president.
On UMNO’s decision not to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability inked between the federal government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) once it expires on July 31, Abdul Karim did not answer directly but described it as a “political situation in Peninsular Malaysia”.
Despite so, he held high hope that the country’s politics would remain stable. — DayakDaily
