Last week, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin announced her resignation from her role as Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and has also left BERSATU to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob then shared that she is still a Cabinet minister and must continue to carry out her duties as long as he has not make a decision on her resignation.
Bukit Mertajam MP, Steven Sim Chee Keong, has since suggested that Ismail Sabri take on the role himself, and with no additional fees, as he gave 5 reasons why.
He wrote, “I suggest that the PM should not appoint a new minister to replace Zuraida. On the other hand, the PM himself, be in charge of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities without additional salary until the end of the term”.
Here are his 5 reasons:
- The cabinet is already HUGE
“To reduce the size of the giant cabinet a bit. There are already 68 ministers/deputy ministers with 4 senior ministers, not including the ministerial ambassadors, ambassadors appointed among government MPs and PM’s advisors”
“Zuraida’s ministry itself has 2 deputy ministers. They are all highly-paid politicians. Whether there is actual work done, let the people judge”, he explained.
- Time to reduce expenditure among the cabinet!
“To save the people’s money. Later, the new minister will have to be paid a salary, allowances, vacations, new team employment, a budget for events, entertainment and programmes,”
“Later, if they want to change the official car, renovate their office, make a golden toilet. The people are out of breath. That’s enough!”
- Stop any further changes!
“To give stability and strength to the ministry. The ministry has changed 3 ministers since 2018. Slogans are changing, policies are changing, organisations are changing,”
“Ministry staff and the industry are tired of chasing the new minister. 2 previous PAS and PPBM ministers also failed to work. Now, let the PM lead the plantation sector recovery strategies”, he said.
- Enough with the power struggle
“To stop the power struggle between BN and PN. The PM does not have to offend any component party of the government that is vying for the ministerial seat. No one gets it, let the PM himself take care of the 2 existing deputy ministers”, Sim added.
- The Parliamentary term is ending soon anyways
“The end of the Parliamentary term is only a year away. The new minister will want to get adapted and set up a team, which will take time. If it is a wrong day of the month, there will be no time to get work done. This role will just become a honeymoon position, to get a pension, a free holiday ticket for the minister to go to London”, he shared.
With that being said, Sim had a final message for the Prime Minister
“So PM, the road is clear. Be brave. You don’t have to deal with internal power turmoil, you don’t need to appoint an additional minister. We support YAB”, he said.
What do you think of his reasons for Ismail Sabri to take over Zuraida’s role? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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