By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Aug 19: Political observer Datuk Peter Minos hopes that the new prime minister will appoint a Sarawakian to be his deputy when the new federal Cabinet is formed.
In his opinion, the new deputy prime minister (DPM) must be accorded with specific power to help restore Sarawak’s rights and honour the terms under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The (new) DPM must have power to talk and ask for more funds from Petronas for Sarawak and Sabah.
“After all, a substantial amount of Petronas revenues and profits are from oil and gas found in Sarawak and Sabah.
“If the new DPM can effectively help on the above key matters, Sarawakians and Sabahans will be happy and feel that fairness and justice are being addressed,” he said in a statement.
Minos who is a veteran Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) member and chairman of Kota Samarahan Municipal Council chairman also hoped that the DPM post is not just a window-dressing position where whoever assumes the post is just an ordinary minister accorded with ordinary power.
Prior to Minos, there were calls for a Sarawakian MP to be appointed as DPM. Some had specifically named Kapit MP as the candidate while others were willing to accept any Sarawakian MP handpicked by ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). — DayakDaily
