KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi fully supports the call for more Dayaks, including the minority ethnic community in Sarawak to be appointed as Deputy Ministers in the unity government.
He said in a statement today (Dec 8), that ideally, the minority ethnic community such as the Bidayuh, the Lun Bawang, the Kayan, Kenyah, Melanau as well as the Iban should all be given the opportunity to be involved in the federal government.
He said Members of the Parliament (MPs) from various ethnic groups that had been mentioned; are obviously capable as some had served for several terms as MP and Senators.
“Almost all of them had served as Deputy Minister and one of them had also served as a Dewan Negara Deputy Speaker. Therefore, the broad experience of this line of leaders must be seen as a consideration to be appointed as Deputy Minister in this unity government,” he said.
“Not to be forgotten, MPs from Sarawak’s Chinese community should also be given the opportunity to be appointed as Deputy Minister. This includes candidates from DAP,” he added.
Nanta, who is also the Works Minister, said such a formation will reflect the unity among multiracial leaders in this country under the unity government administration.
He said among those who can be considered include Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, (Bidayuh), Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Lun Bawang), Mukah MP Datuk Hanifah Tun Abdul Taib (Melanau), Baram MP Datuk Anyie Ngau (Kayan/Kenyah), Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Iban) and Sri Aman MP Datuk Seri Sophia Brodie (Iban).
“I fully understand that it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to choose and decide whomever he deems fit to hold the position of the Deputy Minister.
“However, it is also expected of me as a Dayak leader in GPS to express the sentiments and hopes of the Dayak community of Sarawak to the Federal Government,” he said.
Nanta also believed that Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Oepng, who is also GPS Chairman, will share the same view on this matter.
He added that Abang Jo’s outstanding success in leading Sarawak was due to his inclusive style and flavour and no doubt of his full understanding of the fact that Sarawak is indeed; a multi-racial, multi-lingual, multicultural, multi-religions and a very diverse composition of almost every aspect of the entire Sarawak population.
“I believe in the wisdom of the Prime Minister in considering this matter. It is my hope that whoever is elected should take this responsibility with full integrity to ensure that the agenda of national economic recovery and the well-being of the people can be realised successfully,” he added.
According to New Straits Times, the names of at least 35 people have been submitted as candidates for deputy ministers in Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Sources said these names were from all the parties and coalitions in the unity government — Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, GPS, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Warisan — and other parties which are being considered.
However, they said it is still unclear if all will be accepted.
They said considering Anwar had said he wanted to have a smaller cabinet lineup, and had indeed cut down the number of ministries to 28, it was possible that the prime minister would only pick one deputy minister per ministry.
However, this could be different in cases where two ministries had been merged.
