Some are happy and some are sad with the new Cabinet

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw believes that in our parliamentary democracy, service to people or voters is of primary importance. Once the voters have chosen, the party or the coalition of parties with the most seats forms a government to serve. Those who are appointed from the Prime Minister downwards, are there to carry out their duties. Those who are given a post should not feel too happy and those who are not appointed should not be angry.Theoretically, they should feel and behave as such. In practice, people express their inner feelings differently.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has formed his new Cabinet, reducing the ministries from 32 to 28 and abolishing parliamentary secretaries. Now, all ministers have to announce their assets publicly. This is a step in the right direction.


Some are happy and some are sad with the new Cabinet. Two deputy ministers refused to take up the appointments. Those who have been dropped such as Rafidah and Radzi react in their own ways. Radzi was Home Minister; he resigned from the post of the UMNO Secretary-General and Rafidah carries on with her UMNO Wanita Chairperson's post with some stimulating comments such as if she were not to be included in the Cabinet she should not have been asked to stand as a candidate.


Han dynasty philosopher Wang Chong 王充 says:"When a person is appointed to be an official (such as a member of the Cabinet), he or she should not be unduely happy; when he or she is removed from a post, he or she should not bear any hatred." This is the principle expressed by many people. In real life, some find it difficult to do.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw