No party sidelined in senior ministerial appointments - Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the appointment of three senior Cabinet ministers yesterday was made without sidelining any party in Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said that apart from the PH Presidential Council, decisions were also made through the 'Top Five Leaders' Committee chaired by himself, and comprising the four PH component party presidents.
He said this was because it was difficult for the Presidential Council to meet regularly or immediately to decide on something.
"This is the way we do it when setting up a certain body or when naming the core ministers.
"All five (in the committee) know what's decided, and it's their responsibility if they have to report it to their respective parties. Otherwise, we will confirm these decisions in the Presidential Council. The Presidential Council is considered the highest council." he said during a special briefing session to RTM and Bernama at his residence here today.
Yesterday, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli claimed that the appointments of top leaders from PPBM, Amanah and DAP as Cabinet ministers were made without negotiation with PKR.
Dr Mahathir yesterday named DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister, PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Home Minister, and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu as Defence Minister.
In the meantime, Dr Mahathir said decisions would be made on the principle of 'the majority rules', because it would not always be possible to reach a consensus.
"So with the 'the majority rules' (principle), it would make decision-making better, more efficient and faster. That has been the arrangement in Pakatan Harapan until now," he said.
He also said the Government requires a Cabinet to be set up as soon as possible.
"To set up a full cabinet will take time, because each party needs to discuss among themselves to put forward the names and posts they wish to hold," he added.
-- BERNAMA
