“Sabah’s Cabinet Re-shuffle”.Musa the “Ultimate Winner”

ARCHIVES 2009

By admin-s On Jun 8, 2009

By Ronnie Klassen (Putt for Change)

THE DUST for the much talked-about Sabah Cabinet reshuffle had finally settled down with the unveiling of the new Cabinet line-up by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman (pic) last month, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

Once again, Musa stunned many, even the most observing political pundits in the state, with the appointment of Datuk Peter Pang En Yin of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as the new Chinese Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) replacing Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah of Parti Gerakan.

Peter Pang’s (pic) promotion not only stunned political pundits but also leaders of his own party, LDP. This was true as, earlier some of his party leaders including its Youth Chief, Chin Shu Ying had said that its current elected Representatives are too young-and-inexperienced. Thus, not ready to take up such a senior position. Chin had instead recommended MCA for the post citing that it is the largest Chinese-based BN component party.

Many may say that Peter Pang should probably thank his lucky stars for continuing to shine on him. As a first timer, this is in fact his second time lucky, after being made the Youth and Sports Minister, shortly after winning the Karamunting state seat in the last general election.

Peter Pang may seem to be really lucky, but the truth is, he is just a “convenient-yet-reliable” tool for Musa to maneuver in his best interest rather than that of the state’s. Compared to the other two LDP assemblymen, Teo Chee Kang (Tg. Kapor) and Pang Nyuk Ming (Merotai), Peter Pang is not closely aligned to LDP Founder cum former President, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat who is a known archrival of Musa. Furthermore, Peter Pang and Musa are also close family friends and business associates.

Hence, Peter Pang’s promotion is not only a big slap on the face of Kah Kiat (pic) and other LDP leaders who are closely aligned to him, but is also a move by Musa to curtail Kah Kiat’s influence in LDP, at the same time to better protect his own interests. Musa knew for a fact that till today, Kah Kiat still has a firm grip on LDP. It’s an open secret that it’s President Datuk VK Liew, Deputy President Datuk Chin Shu Pin, his brother cum Youth Chief, Shu Ying and its Secretary-general, Teo are all closely aligned to Kah Kiat.

Peter Pang’s promotion is a glaring testimony that Musa can’t be bothered with the interest and welfare of the Chinese community, neither does he care with the sentiments of the other Chinese leaders in his Cabinet. As far as he’s concerned, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu kiah (pic), Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Datuk Edward Khoo and Peter Pang owed their respective post to him.