A Pakatan Rakyat “Cabinet” list was mysteriously circulated to parliamentary reporters yesterday and I was asked whether there is any basis to it.
It is utter bunkum as the Pakatan Rakyat leaders had never discussed any such Cabinet line-up.
It is in fact the second so-called Pakatan Rakyat “Cabinet” line-up concocted by Barisan Nasional mischief-makers.
Malaysiakini has carried a story on it, viz:
Bogus Pakatan ’shadow’ cabinet list appears
Syed Jaymal Zahiid
Aug 21, 08 6:50pm
A bogus list - purportedly the ‘new’ cabinet line-up to be unveiled by the Pakatan Rakyat alliance should they succeed in forming a new government - is being distributed in Parliament.
The origin of the list, which features PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and finance minister, is unknown.
However, Pakatan MPs said it is not from them.
“It is ridiculous. It does not have me on it,” quipped Dr Hatta Ramli (PAS, Kuala Krai).
“The list is ridiculous. I think the Barisan Nasional supporters might have done it,” said Bukit Mertajam DAP MP Chong Eng.
A copy of the list was found at Umno election operation centre in Permatang Pauh (photo).
The ’shadow’ cabinet line-up names three deputy prime ministers.
Deputy prime minister number one will be DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang. The MP for Ipoh Timur will also be placed in charge of internal security.
R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) was listed as deputy prime minister number two and minister of legal and judiciary matters.
The third slot for deputy prime minister will go to SAPP supremo Yong Teck Lee, who will also be asked to head the Rural Development Ministry.
Hadi, Karpal to be senior ministers
Noticeably low on the list is PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (Marang), whose party recently voiced hopes of him becoming premier instead of Anwar.
Hadi was named senior minister in charge of religious affairs, while another veteran Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) was picked to be minister for integrity affairs and federal ties.
William Leong (PKR-Selayang) will act as economics cum international trade and industry minister and PKR vice president Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) is poised to become the second finance minister.
Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub said the appearance of the list showed rising fear that Anwar’s persistent claim of wresting control of the government from BN might come true.
“I think the list is the product of fear of the fact that Anwar is rising to power,” said Salahuddin.
Lim Kit Siang
22/08/08
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