Ramkarpal withdrew from cabinet to avoid accusations of nepotism

Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) withdrew from the cabinet line-up to avoid accusations of nepotism, said DAP secretary general Anthony Loke.

“Ramkarpal gave way because he felt that it is not right for both brothers to be in the cabinet,” said Loke who is also Transport Minister during a special press conference held at the DAP headquarters this evening.

Ramkarpal is the younger brother of Gobind Singh who was included into the cabinet as Digital Minister

Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced his cabinet reshuffle which saw one minister from DAP, V Sivakumar dropped from the line up.

Sivakumar was replaced by Steven Sim Chee Keong, formerly a deputy finance minister.

The DAP gained another minister in Gobind making the total number of ministers from the party at five.

The new deputy ministers from DAP are Wong Kah Woh (Education) Lim Hui Ying (Finance), Chan Foong Hin (Plantation and Commodities).

On Sivakumar’s last statement as he was dropped, Loke said that it was magnanimous.

“What Sivakumar did this afternoon does not question. He accepted the Prime Minister’s decision. The position is not a right, it is privilege and responsibility.

“It is magnanimous and in the right spirit so I thank him.”

Earlier today Sivakumar thanked Anwar for the opportunity to be Human Resources Minister for one year. He also thanked other ministries that assisted his ministry and apologised to those whom he could not assist.

Taking a question from the media, Loke denied that DAP was the biggest winner in this reshuffle.

“The net increase is only one additional (ministerial) post. There was a lot of reshuffle because of one addition and two were removed. The same (net increase) goes for Umno. So it is not right to say that the DAP is the biggest winner.”

He also added that the cabinet members from the DAP are scrutinised by supporters as they held them at a high standard.

Gobind meanwhile pointed out that he would need iron out the scope and overlapping jurisdiction of the Digital Ministry with the Communications Ministry.

“The question of scope and overlaps needs to be looked into with the Communications Minister. We need to ensure the role of the ministry and begin work. We need to formulate short, medium and long term policies,” he said.

He also gave assured the media that the issues faced by all communities would be addressed by the cabinet.

“We have a line up to bring forward problems faced by all communities. These problems will be looked at.

“We will discuss, put up recommendation and move ahead to resolve that,” he said.

This was in response to grouses by certain segments of society who claimed that they are not being represented in the cabinet line-up.