Pakatan to decide on controversial govt policies my idea, says Klang MP

Sheridan Mahavera Sheridan Mahavera Updated 6 years ago · Published on 14 Aug 2019 11:57AM · 4 Comments

Klang MP Charles Santiago (left) says the Pakatan Harapan component parties can decide on his idea that the presidential council first discuss controversial government policies before unveiling them to the public. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, August 14, 2019.

DESPITE criticism, Klang lawmaker Charles Santiago today defended his proposal that controversial government policies should be first discussed at the Pakatan Harapan presidential council before Putrajaya makes a decision.

Santiago said he will it leave it up to the component parties to decide on whether to implement the idea he mooted following the controversy over the teaching of khat in vernacular primary schools.

“This is something that is practised in other countries, where there are four or five component parties which first discuss issues internally,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a river pollution seminar today.

In such countries, political parties reach a consensus first on hot-button topics before a government decision is made, he added.

He refuted criticism that he was taking away the prime minister’s prerogatives to make government decisions.

“It’s my opinion and PM has responded, so we leave it as that PM has read my statement, it is up to him and the presidential council to decide (on the idea).”

Santiago, who is also Selangor DAP vice-chairman, said this idea was only for controversial issues and not all government decisions.

He had said there was too much power invested in the prime minister and it was time that the decision-making process be shared with the presidential council.

The council is chaired by the prime minister and comprises top leaders from the coalition’s four parties – DAP, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu.

His remarks yesterday led to a sarcastic rebuke from Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said: “In future, when there is a decision to be made, I will only make it after checking with (Charles) Santiago. I will get his opinion. He is equal to me.”

Leaders from Bersatu, which Dr Mahathir leads, had also criticised Santiago. 

When asked whether he thought that he was equal to the prime minister, Santiago said: “We are all Malaysians of equal standing.” – August 14, 2019.

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Comments

  • Make sense, Mr Santiago. I don't think Dr M is up to date on Malaysia Baru. He is not what Malaysians in PH wants based on the past 15 months results. He has done a good job for the first six months, but after that he is back to who he was as first term PM. He uses racial issue again,sadly, to build his political power base in Malay community. We are regressing back to 20 years mentality. Sick and country is going backwards.

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Charlie, charlie...

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysia Baru 09052018 · Reply

  • TDM no longer suitable to be PM bcoz too many U TURNS. Lost Trust in him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • It is Always the Non Malay who has to take the Lead for reforms. Malays will sit n watch if OK all win win status then they come causing little ruskus then adopting if they did not lose out. TRUTHFULLNESS IS RARELY FOUND in corrupted humans.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply