Teresa backs Cabinet choices after Rafizi’s outburst

Teresa Kok reminds Rafizi Ramli of the voice of Malaysians as shown on social media.

(FMT) – Teresa Kok has defended the Cabinet choices of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad against an outburst from PKR’s Rafizi Ramli and Wong Chen.

She said the voices of ordinary Malaysians, as shown in the criticisms on social media against the two, was testimony of what the people expect from a new Pakatan Harapan-led government.

Kok, who is DAP deputy secretary-general, said, “I believe the people’s responses on this matter are stronger than my comments”.

She contended that “even Nurul Izzah and Anwar Ibrahim have given their consent”, adding: “I think that says a lot.”

Yesterday, Rafizi, who is PKR vice-president, had said that Dr Mahathir had bulldozed the choice of Lim Guan Eng (DAP) as finance minister; Muhyiddin Yassin (PPBM) as home minister and Mohamad Sabu (Amanah) as defence minister.

Dr Mahathir had said the three positions were the most senior in the Cabinet and, with PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail appointed as deputy prime minister, the four leaders had taken the most important posts.

However Rafizi said PKR had not been present at the meeting of party leaders when the decisions were made. Any decision on appointments must be unanimously agreed to by all four parties, he said. Many had questioned why PKR did not have one of the top three posts.

However his comments raised a storm on social media, with most comments critical of his remarks.

Asked if Rafizi’s comments and those of fellow PKR vice-president Wong Chen would affect Pakatan unity, she said: “Everyone has the right to their opinions and the right to speak up. We respect that and this is what PH will recognise.”