KUALA LUMPUR – DAP does not see itself as the “biggest winner” from today’s cabinet reshuffle, said party secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Loke pointed out that the Pakatan Harapan component member was not the sole party that had gained a ministerial post in the reshuffling.
“It’s not true to say that we (DAP) are the biggest winners. We had the addition of one minister, and (Barisan Nasional linchpin) Umno also gained a minister,” said Loke, who is also transport minister.
“A lot of the additional appointments and reshuffling involved DAP, with one minister added (from the party) while one minister and deputy minister each were dropped,” he said at a press conference at DAP’s headquarters today after the reshuffle was announced.
“The prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has taken into account the cabinet’s composition (in terms of) the representation of each party that makes up the unity government, so I’d say it’s a fair adjustment,” Loke added.
With today’s reshuffle, DAP’s total number of ministers has increased from four to five, while Umno’s has increased from six to seven.
Loke also said today that ministers from DAP tend to be held to a “higher standard” than other political parties.
“In terms of my view of the performance of our ministers and deputy ministers, I’d say that we are judged by the public,” Loke said.
“DAP holds our elected representatives in government to high expectations, and we always raise our bar as we know that the public and our supporters hold us to a higher standard than any other party.
“We are being scrutinised every day,” Loke added, noting that party representatives are constantly reminded of how they have to perform their duties well and carry out their responsibilities.
Asked if his comments on high standards are linked to the dropping of party deputy secretary-general V. Sivakumar as human resources minister, Loke said that it is the prime minister’s sole prerogative to appoint cabinet members.
“Sivakumar’s statement earlier this afternoon aligns with the spirit of DAP leaders. He said that he respected the prime minister’s decision and did not question (his axing).
“A position in the government is not a right; it’s a privilege and a responsibility. When you’re appointed, you carry out your duties, and when you’re not appointed, you accept the decision,” Loke added.
Earlier today, Sivakumar, who was the only minister axed in today’s cabinet reshuffle, expressed his gratitude to those who aided in the ministry’s many successes during his tenure.
He also congratulated his successor for the ministerial post, fellow DAP representative Steven Sim, who was previously deputy finance minister II.
Sivakumar was previously embroiled in controversy over scandals involving the ministry’s foreign worker recruitment system, as well as the management and finances of the Human Resources Development Corporation. – December 12, 2023