The Malaysian Insight

THERE is unhappiness among the Chinese with the reduced number of Chinese ministers in Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet, which was announced on Monday.

Chinese associations, guilds and groups told The Malaysian Insight they were hopeful the new Perikatan Nasional government would put people’s interest first but they are still uncertain with the possibility of snap elections.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s first cabinet of 32 ministers and 38 deputies has one full minister from the Chinese community with three deputy ministers.

They are MCA president Wee Ka Siong as transport minister, and MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon as deputy education minister I, vice-president Lim Ban Hong as deputy international trade and industry minister and Tg Piai MP Wee Jeck Seng as deputy plantation and commodities minister.

Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce vice-president Joseph Lim told The Malaysian Insight that the community hoped to have more Chinese in the cabinet for greater representation.

“Four is not enough and there’s only one full minister,” Lim said.

He also said the PN government is a “transitional” one.

“It cannot be denied that they can implement some necessary measures in the short term, but the threat of snap elections is hanging over them.

“Although I want to wait and see, some certainty will be good. The new government can introduce policies beneficial to the people and stabilise the economy, which can swing public opinion in their favour,” he said.

The Federation of Hokkien Associations Malaysia (FHAM) president Lim Hock San said all the people want is a government that puts the rakyat and country first.

“I hope the Chinese minister and deputy ministers can play a bridging role and help the people get more benefits.

“But I believe that if they are sincere about helping the people, it does not matter which ministry or position they are in, the Chinese community will accept them,” he said.

United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) president Ong Chiow Chuan said the organisation’s stand on maintaining Chinese education will not change regardless of who is in office.

“For many years, questions about Chinese education have been raised but there had been no solutions in sight. For example, the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), there are still no updates.

“Before, we have had discussions with former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching and she had gotten former education minister Maszlee Malik to agree to it, and the ministry’s director-general already informed the relevant departments about it.

“But due to the change in government, the civil servants have stopped in their tracks, so we need to discuss the matter again with the new education minister.”

Ong said they have already contacted new deputy minister Mah for a meeting on the issue.

“The Pakatan Harapan government established a UEC special review committee and the committee had already submitted its report to the Education Ministry, so we have to follow up.”

Muhyiddin did not appoint a deputy prime minister, opting instead to have four senior ministers from the four parties of the coalition instead.

The four are Mohamed Azmin Ali in charge of international trade and industry, Ismail Sabri Yaakob (defence), Mohd Radzi Mohd Jidin (education) and Fadillah Yusof (works).

One of the interesting picks is CIMB’s Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abd Aziz as finance minister.

Hock San said Muhyiddin had appointed a cabinet with vast experience but Tengku Zafrul is an outlier.

“He was CIMB’s CEO and has 24 years of experience, I believe he has the capability to help the prime minister to stabilise and revive the economy,” he said.

As such, Hock San said the new government should immediately formulate new policies, such as allowing banks to extend the loan repayment period for the people or businesses in need or reduce the monthly payments.

“The government, at the same time, should focus on infrastructure projects to revive the economy in the long term, such as rail, telecommunications, roads and healthcare projects.”

Hock San said this will lay the groundwork for speedy economic recovery. – March 12, 2020.