Tian Chua: Anwar-Zahid combo crucial to implement govt reforms

As all eyes are on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim forming a new cabinet, a former PKR vice-president said that excluding any leaders from the "court cluster" will not guarantee a clean administration.

Instead, former Batu MP Tian Chua argued that it would be crucial for Anwar to cooperate with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as a uniting force to ensure a strong government that will be able to implement planned reforms.

Noting that his views are unpopular, Chua (above) said to keep away any leaders facing a corruption trial would only be a superficial "public relations exercise".

"The previous government barred court clusters from the cabinet, yet it continued the practice of direct negotiation, favouritism in procurement, etc.

"There was no effective reform but a protracted tension between coalition parties," he said in a statement.

"Keeping those leaders with court cases out of the government doesn’t automatically bring about a cleaner government.

"If we want to be serious about corruption, we need genuine reforms to systematically overhaul our governing institutions," he added.

Chua said cooperation between Anwar and Zahid as BN chairperson, would be crucial for a strong "grand coalition" capable of implementing actual reforms towards a transparent and efficient delivery by government functionaries.

"In order to govern effectively, Pakatan Harapan and BN leaders have to build trust and confidence in each other.

"Undeniably there is still lots of scepticism within BN, especially Umno. Zahid has demonstrated his ability to consolidate BN into a unified stance to cooperate with Harapan," he said.

He added that Zahid's seniority would also complement other new or returning ministers from Harapan with only a 22-month experience in Putrajaya.

Addressing arguments against Zahid's appointment to cabinet, Chua pointed out there is no immunity from prosecution for any cabinet members and ongoing proceedings will continue.

"If Zahid is nominated to join the cabinet as the chairperson of BN, it is not up to Harapan to reject.

"This is simply the principles of cooperation and collective responsibility," he said.

Aside from Zahid, other party leaders with pending corruption charges in court include DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng and Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

'No salary PM only for moral image'

While appearing to have reconciled with Anwar after contesting as an independent against PKR in Batu, Chua also took a swipe at the Harapan chairperson's pledge to not take his prime minister's salary.

"Such an act is nothing but a self-projection of a moral image. A non-salaried prime minister does not translate into a clean government nor does it boosts investors' confidence.

"On the contrary, the government by right should study how to commensurate ministers to avoid bribery," he said.

Anwar has so far indicated that he will form a smaller cabinet than his predecessors with a mandated pay cut, with two deputy prime ministers likely to be appointed from partner coalitions BN and GPS.

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