OCT 25 — Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is reported to have said that creating a deputy prime minister (DPM) post for Sarawak must involve ensuring the position is one with power and not just to serve as a mere figurehead in the Cabinet.
He said while Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) welcomed the suggestion by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to create three DPM posts — one each for Sarawak, Sabah, and the Peninsula if BN wins the 15th General Election (GE15) — the posts must not just be ceremonial.
“What we need is a post with certain powers, otherwise it becomes a ceremonial post with all the protocols of a DPM.,” the premier told reporters after attending a Deepavali luncheon in Kuching on Monday.
The post of a DPM is not constitutionally provided. However, if one is appointed and designated as a DPM, then he or she is conferred with the functions or has been charged with any responsibility in respect of a particular department like any other minister as notified by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under a federal law – that is, the Ministerial Functions Act 1969 (Act 2).
The notification is by an order published in the Gazette. The order made by the Agong may (a) provide for the transfer of any property, rights or liabilities held, enjoyed or incurred by any Minister in connection with any functions conferred or transferred, and (b) contain such other provisions as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the order – Section 2 of Act 2.
So a DPM is like any minister appointed by the Agong on the advice of the prime minister under Article 43(2)(b) of the Federal Constitution. He or she is not without power or is powerless or a mere figurehead in the Cabinet.
A DPM’s powers, functions and responsibilities are spelt out in an order made by the Agong and published in the Gazette.
