First agenda in first meeting after GE15: "Three DPMs proposal for MKMA63"
Published on: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
By: Bernama
Maximus and Abang Johari
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) will propose three Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) posts for the country as the first agenda in the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) first meeting after the 15th general election (GE15) is over, said its President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.In welcoming the proposal by Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday, Maximus, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), described it as long overdue.
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Maximus stressed that PBS, as a member of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), fully endorsed the proposal, adding that any fulfilment to that effect will be consistent with the constitutional provision of giving Sabah and Sarawak equal status in Malaysia.
“It would represent the new Malaysia. It could be a major leap forward for the country, and I am confident it would be unanimously agreed by MKMA63,” he said in a statement, Monday.
On Sunday, Ahmad Zahid suggested that three Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) posts be created to represent Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula if BN wins dominantly in the upcoming 15th general election.
He said Sabah BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) could suggest to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for this suggestion be included in the BN and GPS manifesto for GE15.
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Maximus said the subject matter pertaining to the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister for Sabah and Sarawak has been discussed in MKMA63 following public request, particularly from Sabahans and Sarawakians, for the Federal Government to consider the proposal.
“In fact, the Equal Partner Working Committee is looking at the subject matter on the equal status of both Sabah and Sarawak in the Constitution,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said creating a DPM post for Sarawak must involve ensuring the position is one with power and not just to serve as a mere figurehead in the Cabinet.
He said while Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) welcomed the suggestion by Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to create three DPM posts — one each for Sarawak, Sabah, and the peninsula if BN wins the 15th General Election (GE15) — the posts must not just be ceremonial.
“What we need is a post with certain powers, otherwise it becomes a ceremonial post with all the protocols of a DPM.
“This is not what we want. We want a DPM post with power,” he told reporters after attending a Deepavali luncheon hosted by lawyer Shankar RP Asnani, in Kuching, Sunday.
When asked if he had a candidate in mind to serve as DPM from the State, Abang Johari replied:
“A candidate ‘bila-bila’ (anytime) can be DPM. But what is important is if you are DPM without the power, then there’s no meaning to it for you only have protocols.
“Sarawakians don’t like protocols. They prefer power,” he quipped.
On whether GPS would be including the proposal for a DPM from Sarawak in its manifesto, the GPS chairman pointed out the suggestion was from BN and not GPS.
“GPS’ manifesto is more on ‘Sarawak First’,” he said.
On Sunday, Ahmad Zahid told a press conference in Kimanis, Sabah that three DPM posts would be created to represent Sarawak, Sabah, and the peninsula if BN wins GE15.
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