DR Mahathir Mohamad’s naming of three ministers in the Pakatan Harapan cabinet today was a unilateral decision and is not final, said PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

He said as far as PKR is concerned, discussions are ongoing and cabinet appointments require the consent of all four parties under PH, namely PKR, DAP, Bersatu and Amanah.

“PKR is of the view that discussions are ongoing and the announcement made today is not final,” he said in a statement, after the finance, home and defence ministers were announced.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng will be the finance minister, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin the home minister and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu the defence minister.

The PH chairman said others in the 25-member cabinet will be finalised in the weeks to come, and some ministers will be from Sabah and Sarawak.

Rafizi said his statement was issued in response to queries from the press on why no PKR leader was present at the press conference where Dr Mahathir made the announcement.

News of Rafizi’s statement was criticised by prominent human rights activist and lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, who tweeted: “PKR, please stop your nonsense.”

The former Malaysian Bar president also said: “I fully support the appointments by the prime minister. Please put country above all else. The rakyat did!” – May 12, 2018.