Sarawak MPs earn merits to be appointed DPM, says STAR president

 By Olivia Miwil - August 20, 2021 @ 6:11pm

KOTA KINABALU: A member of parliament from Sarawak should be appointed as the next deputy prime minister since the state's largest political coalition is instrumental in shoring up support for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's rise as the country's top executive, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said.

"It doesn't matter who, as long as we have one (from East Malaysia). But, most likely (a) Sarawak (MP) will be poised for it.

"Why not? Sarawak has the most contribution to the stability in the appointment of the prime minister, I hope that this will be a consideration," he told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here.

The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president was likely referring to the Gabungan Party Sabah (GPS) coalition led by chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.

The four-party coalition has 18 MPs and had kept mum over their preferred prime minister scandidate. However, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his latest statement said PN and GPS had endorsed Ismail Sabri as their candidate for the top office.

Jeffrey said with the easing of the political turmoil in Kuala Lumpur, he urged for the country to retrain all of its focus on mitigating the Covid-19 pandemic, the people's welfare and economy.

"I also wish that there will be no more political upheaval or fighting for the prime ministerial post.

"At the same time, I am hoping for the new cabinet to focus on the issues I had mentioned and to take into consideration issues related to Sabah and Sarawak, federal-state relations particularly on rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963."