Press Digest - Not appointing a Chinese DCM could have repercussions

PETALING JAYA: A number of Chinese community leaders and politicians have expressed concern about the hue and cry over the lack of a Chinese deputy chief minister (DCM) in the new Sarawak Cabinet.
Considering the possible repercussions on Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election, they urged Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to take remedial action, such as adding another DCM post for Chinese, China Press reported yesterday.
Express his disappointment over the lack of a Chinese DCM, Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Wee Kok Tiong said he personally felt that Adenan should create one.
He opined that SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who wrested back the Batu Kawah seat from the DAP, would be the best candidate to fill the post.
Chinese educationist Chai Voon Tok also expressed dismay at Adenan's failure to appoint a Chinese DCM.
He said Adenan, who had told the voters he was a CM for all Sarawakians, should understand what the Chinese wanted – a DCM post.
He pointed out that Adenan's remarks that he would consider a Chinese DCM in his new line-up should the Chinese support BN had indeed caused many Chinese to vote for the national front.
Meanwhile, former SUPP chief Tan Sri Dr George Chan, the last Chinese to hold the DCM post, said regardless whether Adenan had made any promise to the Chinese, he should create another DCM post for Chinese in view of the community's wishes.
He said this was also to avoid a backlash from Chinese voters in the next polls.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's remark that Sarawak was working on amending its constitution to allow more than three DCMs.
The Chinese have played an important role in the state's development, he said in expressing hope that a DCM could be appointed to represent the Chinese community there.
Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong said given that Chinese make up more than 30% of Sarawak's population and that a significant number of them had voted for BN, it was unjustifiable that none of the three DCMs was a Chinese.
Meanwhile, the daily reported that Adenan had wanted to appoint Sim as DCM but changed his mind at the last minute due to strong objections from some assemblymen who deemed UPP chief Datuk Seri Wong Soom Koh, an old hand in politics, a more suitable candidate.