KUCHING: Democratic Action Party (DAP) veteran Lim Kit Siang has described Barisan Nasional’s (BN) proposal to include one deputy prime minister (DPM) each from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula as part of its election manifesto as ‘nothing new’.
He said the suggestion by BN president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was not new and Pakatan Harapan (PH) had previously already proposed on the same matter.
“It (Zahid’s proposal) is nothing new. We (PH) have proposed it,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters before the walkabout and meeting the locals at Mile 3 Wet Market and surrounding area here on Monday (Oct 24).
Earlier, on Oct 23, Zahid at a media conference in Sabah said that it was not impossible for the country to have three DPMs from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula respectively.
“This is because the post of DPM is not in the Constitution. That is why there is no DPM post currently but only four senior Cabinet ministers.
“Hence, it is not impossible for three DPM posts to be created if BN dominantly wins, then the three second most important posts in the country will be held by any of the leaders from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula,” he said as reported by Bernama.
Zahid, who is also the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) president, was also quoted as saying that if this proposal is included in the BN manifesto, it must be implemented.
On Zahid’s remarks that UMNO’s vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob remained as the prime minister ministerial candidate if BN wins the 15th General Election (GE15), Lim said that “I don’t think he (Ismail) believes it”.
“If Zahid believes in Ismail to become the prime minister if UMNO wins, there is only one way – Zahid does not stand for election.
“Ask Zahid not to stand for election so that it is clear that Ismail is UMNO ‘poster boy’ for the next election,” said Lim.
BN comprises four component parties namely, UMNO, Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA), and United Sabah People’s Party (PBRS).
Meanwhile, among those present at the walkabout were DAP Sarawak chief and Stampin incumbent Chong Chieng Jen; Bandar Kuching incumbent Dr Kelvin Yii; and Lanang incumbent Alice Lau.
