Whoever from GPS is picked to hold the position of deputy prime minister is not important. The bottom line is that GPS’ contribution to the formation and stability of the government should be acknowledged. In politics, acknowledgement is in a form of a position given to a party which contributes to that stability.
– Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, late PRS president
More than a year ago just before the 12th state election we made a clarion call for the creation of a second deputy prime minister’s post to look after the interests of Sabah and Sarawak, thanks to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah – one of a few rare breed of leaders from Sarawak who is not only fiercely protective of and vocal about Sarawak but also bold enough to blast the Feds.
One PBB assemblyman, whom I had roti canai and teh tarik with at a popular Mamak eatery in Satok one morning early last month, heaped praises on Abdul Karim for his bold hard-hitting statements against Putrajaya whenever he is disappointed with the federal leaders’ treatment of Sarawak. “He (Abdul Karim) will just ‘gasak ajak’ these orang Malaya if he’s not happy with them. Very few Sarawakian politicians, with the exception of the opposition of course, dare to say something harsh against them, but not Abdul Karim lah!”
So when Abdul Karim opened his mouth and made some noise about creating a second DPM’s post several leaders from Sarawak joined the bandwagon. It was a hot topic for several months in both mainstream and social media.
Putrajaya took note and promised – as is always the case with other demands – to look into it. That’s about it!
There were intense discussions and arguments for and against among our elected representatives.
Abdul Karim even proposed the name of GPS secretary-general and Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs, for the DPM II post.
And Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Seri Sebastian Ting chipped in by suggesting senior minister and minister of works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf – under former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – and Alexander Nanti be considered.
Even the late Parti Rayat Sarawak (PRS) president and deputy chief minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing supported the second deputy prime minister idea.
His argument was that GPS had not once but twice – with its 18 MPs – helped to form the federal government, first helmed by Muhyiddin and later by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Masing, like Abdul Karim, wanted Putrajaya to acknowledge GPS’ crucial role in forming the government by giving Sarawak a DPM post.
Sarawakians must be thinking at that time, “Ini kali lah (finally)!” But that ini kali lah never materialised, and we are still waiting … and waiting – masa belum sampai lagi lah (time has not come yet)! Only the Almighty can enlighten us when we will see someone from Sarawak holding the post.
Now a year later, the issue of DPM II has resurfaced. Makes me wonder if it has something to do with the upcoming 15th general election (GE15) – to get the support of the voters.
Abdul Karim recently floated the DPM II idea again. He wants the post-GE15 government to establish the DPM II post for either a Sarawakian or Sabahan.
He strongly feels the second DPM post can be an alternative to a bloated federal cabinet.
“… if we are able to deliver sufficient number of seats to form and stabilise the new government after the 15th general election, why not? Instead of having a cabinet of 30 or 40 members, the prime minister should increase the number of DPMs. If that helps to make everybody happy, why not?”
I see Abdul Karim’s point. And this time I pray whoever sits high up in Putrajaya will seriously consider a Sarawakian (or a Sabahan) for the No. 2 post.
Sarawak leaders, if they believe they are kingmakers, should first extract a concrete undertaking from whomever is going to form the new government – that an East Malaysian DPM must be in the cabinet. Otherwise, NO DEAL!
More people this time around have rallied behind Abdul Karim’s renewed call, including Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Board member Dr Gregory Hii, who said “a DPM from Sarawak should be in a stronger position to lobby for more budget for Sarawak as he has first-hand knowledge of Sarawak’s development”.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Dr Lee Kuok Tiung also feels that having a DPM from East Malaysia will reflect the two states’ position as equal partners.
Sarawak Indian Women Association (SIWA) president Penghulu Lucy Lingam also said the appointment will give the state more clout. “This is needed as he or she will bring stability to our country.”
But will our leaders successfully pursue our dreams of having an East Malaysian DPM? Or is it going to be another false hope? Maybe, Abdul Karim should be given the opportunity to stand in the coming general election. So what if he is an assemblyman and a state minister? If he can convince Putrajaya to give the DPM’s post to a qualified Sarawakian – and I believe he will not fail us as an MP – why not!
We need strong-willed politicians like Abdul Karim and de facto law minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to complement Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s efforts to regain all our lost rights – and of course getting a Sarawakian as the No. 2 in Putrajaya.
But to present a very strong case to Putrajaya, we must first win convincingly in GE15 – 18 is not enough! We should get 26 seats or more so that the 10th prime minister will not hesitate to meet our demands! Let’s continue with our kingmakers role and not end up being mere “queen-pleasers”. Or shall I put it crudely, kaki bodek?
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
