PM's choice over Cabinet appointments 'not right', says DAP Youth

PETALING JAYA: DAP should have received more ministerial positions in the Cabinet as it had won 42 parliamentary seats in the 14th General Election, said party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chairman Wong Kah Woh.  

In a statement on Monday, Wong said a few candidates suggested by DAP, including Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, were dropped from the list of ministers.  

Nga was left out of the Cabinet entirely, while Chong became the Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumerism Minister.  

“The Prime Minister’s actions were not right, as the arrangement did not tally with the number of seats won by a party, and it does not show respect for the suggestions by a fellow coalition party leadership,” he said.    

Wong clarified that his views on the Cabinet list was not intended to snatch any ministerial positions, but to respect the people’s wishes, defend the party’s dignity and ensure no single party was too powerful within Pakatan.  

“When all four Pakatan parties trusted the Prime Minister to choose and appoint ministers, this also means we expect the PM to appoint his Cabinet from the list of candidates given by the parties.  

“In terms of experience, abilities and qualifications, our candidates excelled in all aspects and were key national leaders for DAP who had contributed to Pakatan’s big win in the general election,” he said.  

Wong said Dapsy did not deny that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was indeed capable of choosing talented leaders, and it acknowledged the abilities of the appointed ministers.  

However, he said only the party leaders would really understand and believe in the qualifications and abilities of the candidates they had suggested.  

“Pakatan may have given absolute power to the Prime Minister to determine the Cabinet, but he must listen to the views of his fellow leaders when making the appointments.  

“Now the DAP’s suggestions have been set aside. In future, should the DAP secretary-general (Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng) have his appointment rejected for whatever reason, will DAP also be forced to accept that kind of decision?” he said.