Anwar's promise to downsize Cabinet remains unfulfilled - Wan Saiful

GEORGE TOWN - Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan claims that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's promise to downsize the Cabinet has turned out to be an unfulfilled pledge.

He said the number of ministers has increased, leading to the splitting of ministries to allow for support to be secured through appointments and positions.

"Anwar had promised to reduce the Cabinet's size.

"Ta-ta (goodbye) to this promise that has now gone to the wind.

"From now on, it is evident that support will be bought through appointments with agencies, even up to the village level," he said in a Facebook post today.

He said Lim Hui Ying who was previously the Education Deputy Minister who has now been appointed as the Finance Deputy Minister, will perpetuate the Bumiputera economic development agenda.

"I congratulate the family of Lim Kit Siang.

"Another child of Lim Kit Siang, Lim Hui Ying, the younger sister of Lim Guan Eng, has entered the Finance Ministry as Deputy Minister.

"Undoubtedly, the Bumiputera economic development agenda will continue to thrive with this Deputy Minister's presence.

"Most notably, nepotism continues to be a primary theme in the current government.

"The appointments of siblings, fathers and sons have become the norm not only in Parliament but also at the executive level.

"However, it seems that all the voices that protested against nepotism before have now fallen silent because they have become drunk on power," he added.

Meanwhile, Wan Saiful said that the appointment of Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali as the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry and Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, were pleasing.

"They are new-generation political figures in Malaysia and have high potential.

"The appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as the Health Minister was expected.

"But I sympathise with them for having to serve under an incompetent and chaotic Prime Minister.

"Hopefully, their potential can compensate for Anwar's lack of direction," he said.

He also said that the appointment of corporate figures indicated Anwar's lack of confidence in his own MPs.

"Amongst the many MPs and leaders of parties in the government who could have been appointed as Senators, it seems Anwar perceives that none of them is competent enough to be the Finance Minister II.

"Hence, he had to look for competence outside of Parliament and outside the party.

"Alhamdulillah, Anwar realised he was not competent as the Finance Minister.

"This awareness led to the appointment of a corporate figure as the Finance Minister II," he said.

However, he claimed that the most suitable individual for the position of Finance Minister II was Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

"From the start, I have mentioned that Johari is an influential figure.

"Unfortunately, Johari only became the Agriculture Minister.

"I believe Anwar is worried that if Johari becomes Finance Minister II, he will outshine Anwar.

"Someone as insecure as Anwar would never appoint someone who could potentially rival him for a major position," he claimed.

Wan Saiful said Anwar has done the same by assisting the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by blocking Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's progress.

"Mohamad was moved to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, an important ministry for the country but not strategic for an individual who might be challenging Zahid as Umno president.

"The Foreign Affairs Ministry is not strategic for Mohamad because he will have to stay abroad for a long time, which creates opportunities for Zahid to secure support for himself within Umno," he said.