Numbers theory behind why no Chinese DCM

PETALING JAYA: There may not be a Chinese Deputy Chief Minister in Sarawak’s new cabinet, but the Sarawakian Chinese community is still well represented, says political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi.

Looking into reasons behind chief minister Adenan Satem’s decision, Awang Azman pointed to the difference in electoral performance betweeenthe Sarawak United People’s Party and other component members of Barisan Nasional.

PRS president James Jemut Masing and PBB deputy president Abang Johari Openg had been made deputy chief ministers as their parties had won all the seats they contested, Awang Azman said.

“SUPP did win, but its seven seats are still less than PRS’ 11. It might have been different if SUPP had won all the 13 seats contested,” said Awang Azman, who is with University of Malaya.

His remarks were made in response to the new Sarawak Cabinet announced by Adenan on Friday. He appointed three deputy chief ministers, all of whom are bumiputera, leading to accusations that he had reneged on an election campaign promise to appoint a Sarawakian Chinese as a deputy chief minister if Barisan Nasional won the Chinese vote.

Awang Azman, speaking to FMT, noted that not all Chinese voters had supported SUPP at the May 7 elections: many also supported UPP, SPDP, DAP and PKR, so a DCM post for the Chinese did not depend solely on SUPP winning all its seats.

However Awang Azman noted that the SUPP had been appointed to two important positions – Minister of Finance II, and Minister of Local Government – with two more Chinese assemblymen expected to be appointed as assistant ministers.

These appointments came despite the fact that 75 per cent of Sarawak’s population were native or bumiputera.

SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian, a first-time assemblyman, had also been appointment directly as a full minister (of Local Government) which Awang Azman said was unusual as first-time appointments were usually made to assistant ministerships.

“Dr Sim’s appointment is a political one rather than one based on performance, and from an administrative point of view, this is not good,” he said. “It should also be noted that Sim’s ministry is more important than the Ministry of Youth and Sport and Solidarity headed by Michael Manyin Jawong, who is actually more senior than Sim.”

Awang Azman said that Sim’s appointment to the Cabinet was aimed at ensuring there was no discontent, as Adenan had already shown through his policies that he upeld the interests of Sarawakian Chinese.

“What is important now is for all BN Chinese leaders to look at how the community can be better served, regardless of which party they were from,” he said.

In response to criticism, Adenan has said that he had never promised to appoint a Chinese DCM as reported in the social media, but merely that he would appoint ministers to represent the community.