Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has not only once again denied she is to be named the next Federal Territories minister, but she also dismissed the need for one altogether.

When contacted, she said she found the role of such a minister to be redundant, especially once local government elections are implemented.

Kok refuted a report by The Malaysian Insight which quoted "highly-placed sources" as listing Kok as one in the final cabinet line-up purportedly to be announced by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"If I have the choice, I wish to be in the ministry that can bring in investments, businesses for the nation. I think I can contribute more (in that role)," she told Malaysiakini.

On the matter of her helming the Federal Territories portfolio, she said the existence of such a role contradicted the Pakatan Harapan government's call for local council elections.

"I don't agree to retain the FT Ministry because it will cause double heads in FT, especially when we are pushing for local council elections. If we want to push for local council elections, we should not have an FT Ministry," she said.

Taking to Facebook, Kok later wrote that in the case of Kuala Lumpur, City Hall should run the city according to the KL City Plan.

She added: "All KL MPs should have a say in the projects in their respective constituencies."

She also opined that the Kuala Lumpur mayor should be held accountable in the direction and operations of City Hall.

New Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin had stated that the government aimed to implement local council elections within three years, or as soon as the nation's economy stabilises. 

Kok had last Saturday also denied another media report listing her as the Federal Territories minister-designate.

Sarawak DAP: This list isn't true

Meanwhile, on the latest reported cabinet list, Malaysiakini learned from a source that DAP had submitted the names of Kok, Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming and Sarawak DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen for full ministership, while Bakri parliamentarian Yeo Bee Yin (photo) was nominated for a deputy minister role.

However, the source did not specify which ministries the names were nominated for.

The Malaysian Insight report had listed Yeo, a chemical engineer with a post-graduate degree from Cambridge, as the next energy, technology and environment minister. Nga's and Chong's names were left out from their list.

A source from Sarawak DAP also dismissed the media report, stating it was incredulous that Chong was not included in the new cabinet line-up.

The source told Malaysiakini: "The list is not true... (that) Chong Chieng Jen’s name is not on the list. He has been an MP for three terms and the (DAP) secretary-general has also proposed his name. In Pakatan Harapan, we will try to deliver our manifesto, and to treat everyone fairly and equally.”

The source said there should be at least two ministers each from Sabah and Sarawak, as opposed to the list with just a single appointment from the Sarawak.

The media report has listed Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian as possible works minister and the only name from the East Malaysian state.

Waytha to oversee Indian affairs, again?

Malaysiakini had previously reported that Mahathir's full cabinet is to comprise 28 ministers, of which 13 have already been announced. Of this 28, Sabah and Sarawak are to have two representatives each. 

Also denying the latest media report is Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, whom The Malaysian Insight source had listed as soon to be minister in the Prime Minister's Department overseeing Islamic affairs.

Other names listed in the report are PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar (water, land and natural resources); PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution (domestic trade and consumer affairs); Harapan secretary Saifuddin Abdullah (higher education), Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof (foreign minister); Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president MP Darell Leiking (international trade and industry); Warisan permanent chairperson VK Liew (law); Silam MP Mohamaddin Ketapi (tourism); Bersatu Youth chief and first-time MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (youth and sports); and Malacca Bersatu chief Mohd Redzuan Yusof (public enterprises).

The report also claimed that Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) chairperson P Waythamoorthy (below) is to be made minister to once again oversee Indian affairs.

This move closely resembled that carried out by the previous government in which Waythamoorthy was made deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, but he later resigned. 

It was reported last year that Mahathir had met with Waythamoorthy to discuss possible collaboration as it was hoped Hindraf could help Harapan capture the rural Indian votes.

The current ministers already sworn in, are:

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR) – Deputy Prime Minister and Women, Family and Community Development Minister

Muhyiddin Yassin (Bersatu) - Home

Lim Guan Eng (DAP) – Finance

Mohamad Sabu (Amanah) - Defence

Anthony Loke (DAP) – Transport

M Kulasegaran (DAP) – Human Resources

Maszlee Malik (Bersatu) – Education

Azmin Ali (PKR) – Economic Affairs

Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR) – Housing and Local Government

Salahuddin Ayub (Amanah) – Agriculture and Agro-based Industries

Rina Harun (Bersatu) – Rural Development

Dzulkefly Ahmad (Amanah) – Health

Gobind Singh (DAP) – Communication and Multimedia

Mahathir said he was leaving the matter of the appointment of deputies to the discretion of the respective ministers.