KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes to see more politicians or MPs from Sarawak and Sabah to hold higher positions in the federal cabinet after the 15th General Election (GE15).
He said with more MPs from the two states appointed in the cabinet, it could help to progress the development of both states in future.
“At the moment both states’ developments are lacking, therefore we need more ministries whose ministers are from Sabah and Sarawak as they could understand more on which areas to be developed.
“I’m not saying ministers from West Malaysia are not good, but whenever somebody is appointed, they hardly come down to us. The rural development minister, in a year only a few times came to Sarawak, so how are you going to know?
“These mindset should be change, and whoever become the next prime minister, we cannot let this disparity get any further away,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Engage and Taste (E.A.T) Taste of Borneo Conference 20223 held at Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK) today.
He also said that what the two states want is to be fast development and on par with West Malaysia as the two states have formed Malaysia together.
Meanwhile, when asked on whether MPs from Sarawak can be appointed as the next Deputy Prime Minister, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president said whoever appointed is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
“I wouldn’t want to discuss that yet, but representatives from Sarawak and Sabah still have not been appointed yet.
“As we go, probably they might be, but not for me to demand because we are not even getting into the election yet, we are not sure who is going to win,” he pointed out.
He also said that the constitution also does not state that it must have one, two or three deputy prime ministers.
“It is again the prerogative of the prime minister to introduce one, two or three deputy prime ministers.
“And it’s nothing wrong if we are able to deliver after the next GE. If we are the kingmaker, we can put one of our MPs in the position, but if we are not, there is not much we can do.
“What is important now, is to win all the 31 seats GPS will contest in. If we win big, we will have more bargaining power,” he said.
