Ahmad Maslan: Three DPMs better than four senior ministers

Having three deputy prime ministers is better than having four senior ministers, according to Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

"Some people say it is a waste (of resources) to have three deputy prime ministers. In my opinion, we have to stop having four senior ministers and replace them with three deputy prime ministers.

"This is a better choice, especially since (the deputy prime ministers from) Sabah and Sarawak can help the prime minister," he said in Pontian, Johor according to Sinar Harian.

Ahmad was asked to comment on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's pledge that a BN government will have three deputy prime ministers, representing Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

The deputy prime minister position is a cabinet position which typically does not come with portfolios. Instead, it marked the next in line to chair cabinet meetings in the absence of the prime minister.

Most deputy prime ministers in Malaysian history have a second ministerial title. For example, the last deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was also the minister for women, community development and family affairs.

However, the sixth deputy prime minister Abdul Ghaffar Baba did not have a second ministerial role.

Need for ‘game changer’

Since February 2020, Malaysia has not had a deputy prime minister. Instead, the Muhyiddin Yassin and subsequent Ismail Sabri Yaakob administrations adopted a "four senior minister" system.

Ahmad opined that promising three deputy prime ministers in the BN manifesto will be a "game changer".

"So far, Sabah and Sarawak never had a prime minister or deputy prime minister... This is something that the people of Sabah and Sarawak will welcome," the incumbent Pontian MP said.

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