Cabinet reshuffle: Ramkarpal resigned to dispel claims of nepotism, says Loke

PETALING JAYA: It has been revealed that Ramkarpal Singh resigned as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department (law and institutional reforms) voluntarily, says Anthony Loke.

The DAP secretary-general said Ramkarpal made the decision after learning that his elder brother Gobind Singh Deo would be appointed as a full minister under a new Digital Ministry.

"Ramkarpal made the decision to vacate his position so DAP's critics will not accuse the party of practising nepotism.

"He felt it was not right for two siblings to serve as a minister and a deputy," he told a press conference at the party's headquarters on Tuesday (Dec 12).

Loke thanked Ramkarpal for his contributions and assisting the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to draft new Bills.

Replacing Ramkarpal is Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a reshuffled cabinet which saw the communications and digital ministry split into two.

Fahmi Fadzil will helm the Communications portfolio while Gobind will helm the new Digital Ministry.

Gobind was also the former communications and multimedia minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Pakatan Harapan cabinet and is also Damansara MP.

Loke also thanked former human resources minister V. Sivakumar for his service over the past year.

"He came out with a statement earlier that he accepted the Prime Minister's decision. This is commendable and much appreciated by the party," Loke said.

Sivakumar is replaced by Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, who previously served as the deputy finance minister in Anwar's administration.

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He also said DAP was not the "biggest winner" in the Cabinet reshuffle.

"We only increased by one ministership. The same for Umno, with Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

"For new appointments involving DAP, as there was one more (Gobind) and two (Sivakumar and Ramkarpal) are no longer in the list," said Loke.

"That is why there were a lot of new faces in the line up," he added.

He said DAP ministers were judged by the public – and that included himself.

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"We have high expectations of our elected representatives in government. We know the public – especially our supporters – hold DAP to a higher standard than any other party.

"Every single one of us is scrutinised every day," he said.

Loke also reminded DAP leaders that positions, especially those in the government, were not a right but a responsibility.

"When you are appointed, carry out your duties well," said Loke.