Saifuddin: Sivarraajh deserves a spot in govt

C Sivarraajh, the BN candidate for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat, will be considered for a suitable role in the unity government under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Sivarraajh (above) previously agreed to give way and unconditionally support the Harapan candidate to win in the election on Dec 7.

"Sivarraajh’s withdrawal was made unconditionally. But I’m convinced that, as a young leader, Sivarraajh deserves a spot.

“In a new government like ours, surely there are places that these young leaders deserve and we will consider it,” Saifuddin told reporters after attending a Harapan mega-political talk in Kulim last night, along with fellow attendees Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Sivarraajh and Harapan candidate Dr Mohamad Sofee Razak.

On Sivarraajh’s withdrawal from the election, Saifuddin said it was done following discussions among Harapan, MIC president SA Vigneswaran and BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said one of the reasons posed by Harapan in justifying BN’s withdrawal was Harapan’s agreement to give way to BN’s candidate in the Tioman state election in Pahang.

"So, in the spirit of the existing coalition government consisting of both these blocks in Tioman, Harapan withdrew, while in Padang Serai, Sivarraajh gave way and I have stressed repeatedly he did so unconditionally, just like the withdrawal in Tioman was done without any conditions,” he added.

On Anwar’s self-appointment of finance minister being the subject of debate by many parties, Saifuddin, who is also home minister, said the names proposed and presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong had been done according to due process and with all matters taken into consideration.

"One decision of course has its pros and cons, and we went along with it as we are confident that with his experience, Anwar is able to lead this important ministry,” he added.

- Bernama

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