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MIRI – While the country awaits newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form his federal cabinet, politicians in Sarawak and their supporters are engaging in intense lobbying for the posts of deputy prime minister and important ministerial portfolios.
Even grassroots leaders like longhouse heads and village chieftains have jumped on the bandwagon, going public about who they want occupying the seats in Putrajaya.
The most-keenly lobbied post is by far the deputy prime minister’s (DPM) post.
A component of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), has openly voiced its desire to see a Dayak MP be appointed as a DPM.
PRS senior vice-president Datuk John Sikie told reporters in Kuching today that GPS secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi is among the most senior Dayak politicians in Sarawak.
“Nanta Linggi is the ideal choice for DPM to represent the natives of Sarawak, as he had been a minister in the federal cabinet before.
“His appointment as DPM will reflect the importance of the Dayak communities and will help to hasten the progress of the indigenous peoples.
“The DPM post will ensure the needs of the indigenous people of Sarawak can be brought to the attention of the highest level in the country,” he said.
Nanta, who is the MP for Kapit, is the secretary-general of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, a fellow GPS component.
Anwar is expected to announce his cabinet lineup soon after ascending to the highest post in government, following the 15th general election.
Speculations are rife that he may have two DPMs: one of them being from GPS, which won 23 of the 31 parliamentary seats in the vast state.
Non-Muslim Borneo leader as DPM
Local opposition outfit Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) also wants to see a DPM position to be given to a non-Muslim from East Malaysia.
Its president Bobby Williams told local reporters that PBDS will support Nanta for the position.
“We want a non-Muslim MP to be the DPM to reflect the importance of the indigenous Dayak communities to the state and country.
“We expect the new PM to be inclusive in forming his cabinet to include the natives of Sarawak and Sabah, and to give the natives a high representation via the senior cabinet posts,” he said.
Local community leaders throughout Sarawak are also lobbying for their MPs to be appointed federal ministers.
Traditional village leaders like the pemanca, temenggong, penghulu and tuai kampung are also issuing public statements via social media and the local press on who they want for the posts.
In Hulu Rajang in central Sarawak, these community chieftains want their MP Datuk Wilson Ugak from PRS to be elevated from a mere MP to a full minister.
Temenggong Ajang Sirek, Pemanca Joseph Akah, Pemanca Umek Jena, and numerous other chieftains have signed public petitions calling for Wilson to be appointed.
“It will be appropriate if our MP from Hulu Rajang be made a full minister so that we rural people can be given the much needed attention to develop our constituency,” they said.
Hulu Rajang is located deep in central Sarawak, and, along with Baram in northern Sarawak, is among the largest parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak and the whole of Malaysia.
Over in Lawas in northernmost Sarawak, local chieftains are also lobbying for Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong to be appointed a full minister. Sum is from PBB and a six-term MP for Lawas. – The Vibes, November 27, 2022