Reassuring the public: Ahmad Zahid speaking at the Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia convocation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
Zahid: Yeoh’s appointment will not rock status
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the appointment of Hannah Yeoh as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), along with Datuk Lo Su Fui as her deputy, will not undermine the Malay agenda in the Federal Territories.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had taken several factors into consideration before appointing Yeoh and Lo to lead the portfolios.
“All major decisions were brought before the Cabinet, and deliberations were made in accordance with various provisions to ensure that the interests of all parties are safeguarded.
“This is not a racial issue, as the Madani government upholds inclusiveness in the implementation of national agendas, including in the Federal Territories,” he said after officiating the Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia convocation ceremony here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said that although Yeoh is a DAP representative, her track record while helming the Youth and Sports Ministry demonstrated that there was no racial agenda throughout her tenure.
He added that the appointment of Yeoh and Lo, from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition, also took into consideration the status of the Federal Territories, which comprise Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
Ahmad Zahid also said leadership in the Federal Territories remains intact, noting that the mayor of Kuala Lumpur is a Malay and that Kuala Lumpur City Hall serves as the primary implementing agency in the region.
He further stated that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers, including himself, will continue to work together to monitor developments and ensure that the national agenda is always accorded priority.
Meanwhile, all actions and decisions by the Federal Territories Department under the Prime Minister’s Department will be referred to the Prime Minister, said Communications Minister and government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, reported Zakiah Koya.
“Yeoh bears the duties and responsibilities of a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department managing the Federal Territories portfolio. This is not the Federal Territories Ministry as before. The Prime Minister is the head for all ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department.
“Thus, any action or decision is also referred to the Prime Minister. Usually, after Cabinet meetings, the post-Cabinet meeting is attended by all ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department. That is the norm, so from a management perspective, nothing irregular occurs.
“The Prime Minister monitors and, if necessary, takes and conveys any advice or instructions to the ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department. That is standard practice.”
