PM's aide defends new cabinet, says M'sia cannot rely on old formula
Defending the recent cabinet reshuffle, PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim said it proved that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is aware that the country cannot be led using the same old formula by retaining the same faces in leadership.
“This is the cabinet that will lead us to the 16th general election. The new team would probably show whether Malaysia is ready to turn to the next generation of leaders in leading the country,” he said on Facebook.
Defending the recent cabinet reshuffle, PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim said it proved that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is aware that the country cannot be led using the same old formula by retaining the same faces in leadership.
“This is the cabinet that will lead us to the 16th general election. The new team would probably show whether Malaysia is ready to turn to the next generation of leaders in leading the country,” he said on Facebook.
Kamil (above) added that Anwar’s cabinet picks also show that the premier is not averse to giving opportunities to young politicians who are educated and capable.
“This is not symbolic but a ‘long-term investment’ to create a new leadership team.
“It’s an attempt to mould new leaders who will take the responsibility to lead the nation in the decades to come,” he said.
Anwar’s cabinet lineup has drawn criticisms from opposition leaders, with PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari saying that it signalled the death of reformasi, attributing it to the prime minister’s decision to keep the finance portfolio to himself.
“The new cabinet has finally been announced. The prime minister is still the finance minister. The key promise of ‘reformasi’ has now been officially buried. Condolences,” the Pasir Mas MP said.
A day later, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan questioned Anwar’s decision to allow the federal territories minister and deputy positions to be helmed by those from the Chinese community - referring to Hannah Yeoh (DAP) and Lo Su Fui (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah).
“This is in addition to a DAP leader retaining the housing and local government ministry. Coincidentally, all three of them are of the same ethnicity,” the former minister added.
Showing true courage
Taking the PAS leaders to task, Kamil said it showed that the opposition had nothing better to say apart from playing up racial sentiments to create unease among the Malays.
However, the aide to the prime minister acknowledged that the new appointments may come with their own challenges.
“However, real courage of leadership is premised on the willingness to give opportunities, observe their performance and the ability for the leaders to be evaluated.
“And this cabinet is not about who speaks the loudest, but who is willing to take the responsibility to carry the nation forward,” Kamil added.
