KUCHING: It is no surprise that Parti Bangsa Malaysia was left out of the deputy minister line-up by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday as the party only won one seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Political analyst Professor Dr Novel Lyndon is inclined to think the appointment of Members of Parliament (MP) into the federal Cabinet, whether as full minister or deputy minister, was done based on how many seats a party or a coalition won in the GE15.
“With only one seat … of course the prime minister has to compromise with parties or coalitions that have more seats.
“Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had won 23 seats, thus, they deserve more,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on Today (Dec 10).
However, Dr Novel believed PBM President Datuk Larry Sng would be considered for other positions at government-linked-companies.
Sng is also PBM’s sole MP in the Dewan Rakyat, after Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Haniza Talha, Dr Daroyah Alwi and Dayang Rusimah failed to get elected.
The Julau MP has expressed disappointment over failing to be appointed as a minister or deputy minister despite being one of the earliest parties after the general election to back Anwar to become prime minister.
“Nonetheless, as a party, we must not allow our vested interest to get in the way of national interest. As the country moves forward, we too shall play what limited role we can to strengthen the foundations of this government. That is what Malaysia deserves
“PBM will still remain a national party. I do not rule out the possibility of mergers and coalition-building with other political parties, similar to what we had planned prior to the election,” Sng said.
On Friday Anwar unveiled his line-up of deputy ministers, with Pakatan Harapan (13) holding most of the positions, followed by Barisan Nasional (6), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (6), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (1) and Warisan (1).
Those from GPS included Datuk Rubiah Wang (PBB) in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah (PBB) in Transport, Datuk Hanifah Taib (PBB) in Economy, Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii (SUPP) in Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Lukanisman Awang Sauni (PBB) in Health and Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (PRS) in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Dr Novel said the portfolios given to Sarawak MPs were very important and very significant to the state.
“Now, the question is in terms of performance and whether they can deliver all the promises, especially on matters regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)? This would be the next main agenda of GPS, especially on the federal level,” he added.
