Abang Jo: Sarawak wants DPM post with power

Special guests: Abang Johari (centre) and Deputy Premiers Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (left) and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah lighting candles at the Deepavali celebration in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Sarawak wants a deputy prime minister’s post that comes with power.

Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg welcomed the intention of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan to appoint a deputy prime minister from Sabah or Sarawak after the 15th General Election (GE15), but said the post must not be ceremonial.

“What we need is a post with certain powers. Otherwise, it becomes a ceremonial post with all the protocols of a deputy prime minister.“That’s not what we want. We want a deputy prime minister’s post with power,” he told reporters after attending a Deepavali celebration hosted by lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani here yesterday.

On Sunday, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed the appointment of three deputy prime ministers if the coalition forms the next Federal Government.

He said the DPMs could be picked from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, said the coalition would appoint two deputy prime ministers, including one from Sabah or Sarawak, if it wins GE15.

Asked if Sarawak had a candidate in mind for the proposed DPM post, Abang Johari said this could be decided later.

“The main thing is that becoming a DPM without power is meaningless.

“It’s protocol only and Sarawakians don’t like protocol. We prefer power,” he said.

He added that the DPM post would not be part of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) manifesto as it was a proposal by Barisan and Pakatan.

“GPS will focus more on Sarawak First,” he said, referring to the state coalition’s tagline.