Kit Siang may be first Chinese DPM

Sun2surf

by Kong See Hoh

PETALING JAYA (Sept 2, 2008): DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang may make history by becoming the first Chinese deputy prime minister of Malaysia should Pakatan Rakyat (PR) come to power at the federal level, Sin Chew Daily reported today.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the DAP leadership has reached a "consensus" to recommend Kit Siang for "a very important" and "most frontline" role in the central government if the opposition coalition takes control.

Asked if the "most frontline" role means the post of deputy prime minister, Guan Eng declined to give a straight answer but stressed that it will be a post that puts him (Kit Siang) on par with other PR leaders.

"We don't want to give the public the impression that we are fighting for posts. And I want to stress that posts are not the most important thing, what is important is we should be fighting for the benefits of the rakyat."

Nevertheless, he said, because of the possibility of PR coming to power at the federal level, DAP leaders have reached a consensus that if indeed it becomes a reality, the party will recommend that Kit Siang play an important role in the federal government.

He said if Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the newly elected MP who has said his next target is Putrajaya, becomes the prime minister, it is not unlikely for a Chinese to be given the deputy prime minister's job, thus fulfilling a long-cherished wish of the community.

He said PR has never held discussions on post allocation in the event of the coalition coming to power, adding that the PR shadow cabinet that was circulated some time ago was mere fabrication.

What is important for the PR now is to fulfil its election pledges. Guan Eng did not deny that PR is having some teething problems but believed that they can be overcome through negotiations.

In the DAP national congress last month, Kit Siang was re-elected to the central executive committee with the highest number of votes but did not assume any party post, giving rise to speculation that he might be "retiring" from active politics.

But during an interview with Sin Chew, Guan Eng said should PR succeed in taking over the federal government, Kit Siang will be recommended for an important government position, even though he (Kit Siang) is not holding any party post.

"We did not discuss the matter officially, it was just a tacit consensus the party leaders have arrived at," he said.

CANDIDATES vying for the central committee (CC) positions in the MCA party elections next month can expect a slug fest.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily today, some 50 candidates are expected to contest the 25 CC posts up for grabs.

Four of the incumbents have already indicated they will not seek re-election. They are MCA organising secretary Datuk Hon Choon Kim, Johor exco member Hoo Seong Chang, deputy secretary-general Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, and former Kedah liaison chief Datuk Beh Hen Seong.

CC member Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who is vying for the Wanita top post, is expected not to seek re-election.

Two other CC members – secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and Datuk Kong Cho Ha – are also expected not to contest the CC posts as they will be going for higher positions.

That leaves seven CC slots to fill and explains the bigger field of contestants expected.

There were 46 CC contestants in the party elections three years ago.

To date, about 50 members have already indicated that they will go for the CC posts and the final tally could be more.

The bulk of this year's contestants will come from Selangor, with 13 or 14 candidates, followed by six or seven from Johor.