COMMENT | A recipe for a stable, great cabinet which reflects the aspirations of the people as indicated by the number of Parliamentary seats the respective coalitions obtained should have three, not two deputy prime ministers (DPMs), with important ministries to be handled largely by Pakatan Harapan nominees.

After all, Harapan has 82 seats, Umno/BN 30, and Sarawak’s GPS 23, giving just these three coalitions a clear majority of 135 in the 222-seat Parliament. Thus, cabinet positions should be given in proportion to the seats held by these parties with exceptions made for one or two ministers for Sabah.

But first the thorny issue of DPMs. The PM is from Harapan and if anything happens to him, the one to succeed him should be from Harapan as reflected by the numbers. To ensure a smooth transition that means there should be a Harapan DPM now in addition to one from Umno and GPS.

Here’s the thorny part. We all know that under the law one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

But does that mean that a person who has the proverbial sword hanging over his head can be made DPM...