State PKR confident Sarawak will not be left out of federal cabinet lineup

Baru (front, seated centre) speaks to reporters, flanked by other state PKR leaders at the party's state headquarters in Kuching.

KUCHING, May 19: State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian believes the leadership of national Pakatan Harapan (PH) will allocate federal ministerial posts for its Sarawak and Sabah MPs.

During a press conference earlier today after chairing the State Leadership Council (MPN) meeting, he said the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had mentioned the national PH manifesto promise to recognise the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and recognise Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in Malaysia.

“We must recognise the fact that Tun Mahathir has the prerogative to pick and choose. That’s the law and that’s the convention we (PKR) have so I believe there may be some discussions which we don’t know about.

“But so far we do recognise with due respect the ones that have been appointed. Some have very distinguished experience and by that we want to accept and respect (their appointment). Of course so far there seems to be no Sarawakians or Sabahans (in the cabinet lineup),” said Baru.

He said this was because the federal PH government was still in the midst of discussions with their Sabah allies, and that there were 10 more vacant full minister posts to be filled.

“We are not giving up hope but I just want to stress that the (PH) manifesto is very clear and I believe they (national PH) will make decisions consistent with what have been said in the manifesto. For that reason I am confident that Sabah and Sarawak would not be left out,” said Baru.

When asked if Sarawak PH has submitted any recommendations from the state to fill some of the vacant posts, Baru said there was no need because of the assurance by the national PH that Sarawak and Sabah would not be left out.

“Again I stress that I have the confidence in our leadership in the national PH and they were the ones who told us that Sarawak was very crucial and an equal partner in Malaysia, equivalent status with the peninsula, and they talked about the MA63, so we leave it to them to decide.

“I think they are wise enough to remember Sarawak,” he added.

Meanwhile, Baru also revealed that the state PKR is also gearing up for the coming state election.

He believed that the state government would hold the state election much earlier before the three-year tenure is up.

“We expect it could be called earlier so that’s the thing we have discussed (during the MPN meeting) as well.

“I expect them (state government) not to go for the full duration of three years. The big question is when (the state election will be held),” said Baru. — DayakDaily