MPs' statements on rejecting posts in cabinet may affect unity govt

SHAH ALAM - The statement made by several MPs claiming they were offered a position in the cabinet and rejected it is not only unhelpful, but could affect the unity government’s cabinet.

Social Protection Contributors' Advisory Association Malaysia (SPCAAM) advisor Callistus Antony D'Angelus said they should have kept it to themselves if it was true, and not disclose it to the public.

"The statement made by some MPs claiming that they have been offered a position in the government and turned it down is not helpful and may affect the cabinet.

"Does this mean that the cabinet is a second string? Although they rejected the offer and if it really happened, they should not have made it public," he said in a statement on Sunday.

Commenting further, he said the tendency to get involved in parochialism should be resisted, especially when certain groups, states, parties and races were unsatisfied with the appointment of the current cabinet.

"If representation becomes objective then we will compromise with merit. Undoubtedly, there is a need to consider political, economic and social realities even though the need for merit-based appointments should be prioritised," he said.

Meanwhile, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should focus on appointing technocrats specialising in specific fields as Deputy Ministers in the government's main portfolio.

"The country cannot afford a continuous political dead-end," he said.