The best way to deal with issues relating to Malaysia’s Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak is to have a second deputy prime minister (DPM II) at the federal level.

The DPM II will be solely responsible for the interests of the states of Sabah and Sarawak as well as to uplift the economic status of Sabahans and Sarawakians.

“Only by having such a platform can the long-term issues faced by these two states be streamlined and collectively brought to the table of the federal government for deliberation and effective action.

“Sabah and Sarawak have their own unique issues. The administrative and economic issues faced by these two states are pertinent to their own geopolitical history and can only be concertedly resolved via the office of a DPM II,” said Abdul Aziz Isa (above), Sarawak DAP socialist youth publicity secretary.

Speaking to Malaysiakini today in Kuching, Abdul Aziz said he is urging Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to create the position of the DPM II in the cabinet which he is currently putting together.

He said it is high time for an East Malaysian to occupy the higher echelons in the Malaysian cabinet and it was time for that position to be created with the advent of the new Pakatan Harapan government in Putrajaya.

Abdul Aziz said he proposed Harapan national vice-president and state DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen (above) to be made the “DPM II for East Malaysian Affairs”.

“Chong is a seasoned politician. He is very experienced and has been a parliamentarian since 2004,” said Abdul Aziz.

According to him, DAP won the second most number of seats and has 42 MPs in parliament after PKR post GE14.

He said since PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah Ismail was appointed as DPM and Amanah had no elected representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, it was only logical to have a DAP representative to be the DPM II.

He added: “In 2015, BN had promised to create a DPM II post for East Malaysia but the defeated coalition never appointed one.

“This has frustrated the hopes of East Malaysian voters. To appreciate the contribution of Harapan voters in Sarawak and Warisan voters in Sabah whose votes effected a stunning win for the Harapan coalition, it will be appropriate and will be a rewarding gift if a DPM II post is created and the position filled by an East Malaysian.

“I would like to propose Chong as the person being given the DPM II position as he has a proven track record as an astute politician.

“He is of strong character, is a principled person and is well-known among East Malaysians for being vocal and consistent in his struggle to bring about change, especially on critical issues pertaining to Sabah and Sarawak,” Abdul Aziz added.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.