KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail blamed the federal government today for Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) failure to form a shadow Cabinet in the past, saying they were not given the funds to do so.
The Opposition Leader claimed this was the sole reason why PR could not present a proper shadow Cabinet, due to a lack of “parliamentary reform.”
“We had the idea of a shadow Cabinet in 2008, but it could not be realises due to a lack of parliamentary reform.
“Parliament should bear the costs and remuneration to have a shadow Cabinet,” she told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby.
But she refused to address or comment on DAP’s announcement earlier today of its own shadow Cabinet.
DAP announced today its own line-up after pointing out that PR had been unable to come up with an agreed list in the past.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng claimed that any move by PR to form a cohesive shadow Cabinet would not work as it would likely be opposed by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
“There is no Pakatan shadow Cabinet, since we cannot come up with a consensus.
“Previous efforts by PR to set up parliamentary ministerial committees co-chaired by an MP from each side of the party have been met with limited success,” Lim told a news conference at the Parliament lobby.
His remarks come a day after newly-installed Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah proposed that PR revisits previous plans to form a shadow Cabinet.
Under DAP’s proposed shadow Cabinet, Tony Pua will lead the Finance and Economy portfolio; while Gobind Singh Deo will head the Home and Law portfolio.
Dr Ong Kian Ming will lead the Health and Environment porfolio; and Zairil Khir Johari will head the Education, Science and Technology portfolio.
