PKR slams ST article for attempting to drive wedge in new coalition govt of Malaysia

The Straits Times published a report today saying that cracks are beginning to appear in the newly constituted Malaysian government formed by the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH), which won the Malaysia GE14 last week ('Cracks appear in PH over posts in new Cabinet', 14 May).

"As Malaysia's new government heads into its first official day of work today, cracks in the hastily put-together Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance have begun to show right after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in last Thursday," ST reported.

ST, quoting some "sources", said that one of the coalition partner, People's Justice Party (PKR) president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had wanted a Malay and not a Chinese to be the finance minister. PM Mahathir announced on Sat (12 May) that the finance portfolio will go to Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

When the news appeared in ST, a senior PKR leader immediately dismissed claims that Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had not wanted an ethnic Chinese to be the finance minister. This was reported in Free Malaysia Today (FMT). He added that PKR was the only truly multiracial party, which could be seen from its leadership composition.

Meanwhile, Mr Lim Guan Eng does not see himself a Chinese. He told the media earlier, “I’m Malaysian, I don’t see myself as Chinese.”

"Completely fabricated and false"

The PKR leader told FMT that the claims in the ST article were “completely fabricated and false”.

“We strongly believe that the finance portfolio must be based on ability,” the leader said, adding that PKR believed Lim, an accountant by training, was suitably qualified for the post.

“But we don’t appreciate the narrative and claims being made against PKR, painting us as troublemakers. We believe this report is part of a concerted attempt to drive a wedge between PKR and the people, and PH, to push us out of the pact.”

Universiti Malaya analyst Azman Awang Pawi did not think it is an issue for Lim to take on the finance portfolio. He said, “Giving Lim the finance portfolio may not sit well with Malay conservatives, but they don’t have to worry as the Council of Elders will advise him.”

Azman was referring to the council comprising former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akthar Aziz, former Petronas president Mohd Hassan Marican, billionaire tycoon Robert Kuok and economist KS Jomo.

It's not known why ST did not check with other sources before publishing the damaging article against PKR, the largest coalition partner in PH.

One theory is that ST may want to feature more bad news about the new Malaysian government formed from opposition parties, for fear that Singaporean voters may be encouraged to vote for the opposition in Singapore's next General Election, if the new Malaysian government is doing well.

What do you think?

This entry was posted in Current Affairs, Opinion, Politics.

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