Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has rubbished the newly-minted cabinet as a "cabinet of devotees".

Lim poked fun at MCA-owned The Star 's front page that screamed, "Cabinet of Winners”, saying that the paper has gone overboard although it may aspire to be in the prime minister's good books.

NONE Lim criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - who announced the line-up yesterday - asking, "Why didn't he appoint those who won (in) the elections?"

Lim pointed to Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed ( left ) and described him as capable. Nur Jazlan defeated PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub.

It is definitely a cabinet of devotees. It's also top-down in terms of skills and not bottom-up in terms of grassroots support," Lim said.

"There are three senators as ministers - the highest number ever - not respecting the democratic wishes of the voters," added the DAP secretary-general.

"Can this cabinet of devotees prove that they will not abide by Umno's dogma of racial division, extremism, corruption and mediocrity?" he asked.

Lim also proposed a task for Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Paul Low, who was appointed as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

NONE "Low ( right ) should prove that his Integrity Pledge is effective and ensure that all ministers and their deputies declare their assets and that the government practises an open tender system when awarding contracts," he said.

        

"If he cannot deliver these two things, then he proves that he is merely a devotee of Najib," he added.

Lim also threw the cabinet three challenges to tackle - crime reduction, being "clean" in fighting graft and resolving the issue of serious traffic congestions in most cities.

Asked to comment on the fact that no MCA leader has been offered any post due to the party's dismal performance in the 13th general election, Lim said "there is one reserved for them".

"Let them sandiwara for a year and then they will be given the post," he said.

Lim was obviously hinting at the Transport Ministry that is being looked after by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as acting minister for the portfolio, which is usually held by the MCA.