MPs from Sarawak DAP have assured that they will become Dewan Rakyat backbenchers in the unity government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH). 

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen also insisted that the party did not pursue federal or state ministerial posts from the start.

“The main thing right now is that DAP and PH make up the main bloc at the federal level and we (Sarawak DAP) will take on the role of providing checks and balances in parliament, as well as ensuring the principles of transparency and good governance are implemented by ministries and government agencies,” he told a media conference at the Sarawak DAP headquarters today. 

The Stampin MP said the party’s principle is to develop the country and ensure a more trustworthy and transparent government, adding that some of the country’s main agendas that needed to be prioritised include current economic challenges and political stability. 

DAP has four ministers and six deputy ministers in the unity government under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but none of them are from Sarawak DAP.

The four are DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook (transport minister), Nga Kor Ming (local government development minister), Hannah Yeoh (youth and sports minister), and V. Sivakumar (human resources minister). 

The six DAP representatives named as deputy ministers are Steven Sim (finance), Ram Karpal Singh (law and institutional reform), Chang Foong Hin (agriculture and food security), Liew Chin Tong (international trade and industry), Teo Nie Ching (digital communication), and Lim Hui Ying (education). – Bernama, December 11, 2022.