ENGAGE chairman Thomas Fann said holding two portfolios would undermine the credibility of the new PH government, and that keeping manifesto promises would give a sense of predictability about future developments. This, he said, was vital for post-election stability.
“We believe that there is a pool of talented people from those newly elected representatives who can hold the education ministry and all the other ministries.
“Further, we are concerned that the demands of taking another portfolio would take a toll on the health and well-being of the prime minister, who already has the Herculean task of putting right the wrongs of the past administration.
“He must focus on the country’s priorities and provide much-needed leadership to the new administration and the nation.”
Likewise, Fann said, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail should not hold any other portfolio. This followed Mahathir’s announcement that Wan Azizah would also be women’s affairs and welfare minister.
Fann said Wan Azizah could, however, chair any committee coordinating a cluster of related ministries.
He also urged Mahathir to increase the representation of women in his Cabinet.
“While many rakyat are in support of the steps taken by Tun Mahathir thus far, this goodwill should not be taken for granted and any missteps will be exploited by those who wish to see the PH government fail.
“Hopes are high that the PH government will be vastly different from the previous Barisan Nasional government in that it would fulfil all 60 promises made in the Buku Harapan, including Promise 12, that the prime minister will not hold more than one Cabinet post.”