By Lian Cheng and Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 24: Sarawak welcomes the proposed appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) from Sabah and Sarawak but insists that the post must come with real power.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) welcomed the DPM post idea but hoped that the post is not a ‘ceremonial post’.
“What we need is a post with real power. Otherwise, it becomes a ceremonial post or we call it the protocol of DPM.
“(If so), it is not worth it. We want a DPM post with power,” he told the press during his Deepavali visit to lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani’s restaurant here today.
On Oct 23, during a visit in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed two DPM posts for East Malaysian lawmakers, with one each from Sabah and Sarawak.
The same day, Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Ibrahim who is also in Sabah for a separate event, said the coalition had always have the stance to appoint two deputy prime ministers, one from the peninsula and one for Sabah and Sarawak, should it win in the coming GE15.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and wife Datin Sri Enn Ong, Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki and wife Datin Noor Akmar, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Dato Richard Wee and wife Datin Dona Drury Wee, and Shankar’s wife Karishma Shankar. — DayakDaily
