If you don’t know, ask, Muhyiddin tells new ministers

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 8 Sep 2018 11:15AM · 2 Comments

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (left) says he understands Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s complaints about the performance of the cabinet, which is made up of greenhorns. – EPA pic, September 8, 2018.

HOME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has urged all the new ministers in Pakatan Harapan to seek advice from their seniors if they need help in governing their ministries, Malaysiakini reports.

The Bersatu president said he was willing to help the greenhorns appointed to the cabinet.

“My colleagues who are new to the cabinet can seek my advice.

“They can also refer important issues to the prime minister. It doesn’t mean that once you’re appointed as a minister, you can make your own decisions.

“There are matters that we can discuss with the prime minister although he may be busy,” he was quoted as saying in the news portal.

Muhyiddin was responding to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks that he was not satisfied with the achievement and performance of ministers.

While some have experience at the state level as menteri besar, they are still not used to the inner workings at the federal level, Dr Mahathir said.

“The cabinet is seen to have many weaknesses in terms of leadership at the level of the respective ministries.

“We admit there are shortcomings, but I believe the people will understand that they will need some time to get adapted to their duties.”

Muhyiddin said civil servants must play an important role to ensure that the right policies are implemented.

“The officers must be loyal to the government of the day, which is Pakatan Harapan.

“They should provide the right briefings and give suggestions to the minister. They have been there for 20 to 30 years while the ministers have only had two months since their appointment.”

Muhyiddin also said his operation to remove a tumour on July 12 was a success and he now has to complete 12 chemotherapy cycles as part of the full treatment regimen, Malaysiakini also reports.

He was on medical leave in July after a growth was detected in the pancreas.

Following this, Dr Mahathir took charge as the home minister.

Muhyiddin said he needs to stay strong and eat more despite losing his appetite.

“I have lost weight but have to recover my health, to return to work and complete my tasks and spend time with the family.

“I am still young, and I have some more time,” he was quoted as saying. – September 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • That is a fundamental point that needs to be addressed. All new ministers are greenhorns and some have made decisions (without consulting the PM) and this had caused chaos..
    One recent example... Minister Maszlee should have obtained the advise and counsel of the elder/senior ministers and PM before accepting his position at President of IIUM. Bad call by the Minister. It could have saved so many negative criticisms and not created a negative perception of Maszlees capabilities!
    His first flaw was changing the colour of school shoes from white to black! What the hell? What was he thinking? That he would save parents time washing their childrens dirty/soiled white shoes every weekend?
    Ministers like Maszlee should learn from accomplished Ministers like Muhyiddin or Dr M.
    Even the DPM, sorry to say should seek PMs advise before making statements or declarations..
    Learn to be good leaders so that you can show leadership and gain the confidence and respect of the Rakyat.
    The Rakyat put PH in power. The PM appointed you as Ministers. So play your role! Dont be selfish and dont make decisions that favour you!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • Sometimes I feel TUN Mahathir should just crack the whip on his Ministers. Stop being the Mr Consensus guy. Too much time is wasted in cabinet meetings debating over issues. Problem arises when everyone wants to have a say and in the end decisions are delayed or nothing is achieved. The people are very fed up.with slow pace the government is putting things into action. Some government agencies are still not sure which ministry they go under. Nothing is given in black and white. So please dont blame the government servants for your incompetency.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply