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PUTRAJAYA (March 19, 2008): The appointment of Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as special adviser to the Prime Minister will not disrupt or create difficulties to the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said as Special Adviser for Women and Social Development Affairs, Shahrizat will be helping Ng and liaise with her when there is a need to coordinate matters and there would not be any overlapping jurisdictions. "This ministry is big and involves many people. There are more women now with all kinds of problems. And most of them, perhaps the biggest, are Malay Muslims. There are many things to be looked into. I have talked to Ng and she understands it very well. "It is good for Shahrizat to deal with matters such as Islamic family law for example. I believe both of them can work together," he told reporters in his office after the first cabinet meeting of the 12th federal government today. Abdullah said there should not be any confusion with regards to the appointment of Shahrizat which was announced yesterday evening, about six hours after he announced his Cabinet line-up live over TV stations. He clarified that although Shahrizat holds a ministerial status, this does not mean she is a Cabinet member as she will only enjoy the benefits of a minister but will not join the Cabinet meeting. On the declaration of assets by ministers and deputy ministers, Abdullah said he had decided for it to be done every two and a half years or twice in every term. "I have asked the Anti-Corruption Agency to help prepare a suitable form for this. Once it is ready, it will be discussed and understood by all before making the declaration," he said. He said the declaration will be done properly by having the necessary elements such as signatures, witnesses and Commissioners of Oath so that the government'e effort will not be condemned by others. On Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that Barisan Nasional (BN) members and MPs want edto join the Opposition alliance, Abdullah said Anwar can claim whatever he wants but it will not affect the government. "Why should the government topple? This government is very strong. We have support. We don't go around purchasing people (for support)," he added. Asked whether he was aware of attempts by opposition to buy BN members, he said: "I am aware. That's what I heard people say. I am not saying it. I heard people say and I am just repeating it only." On the decision by Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad to quit as BN and Umno secretary-general, Abdullah said the two of them had discussed about it and he had accepted Radzi's decision to give way to others. "I have no objection. I respect his decision. There was no negative words uttered. He just wanted to resign so that others can hold the post." Asked about Radzi's statement that he could no longer function effectively as he is not in the Cabinet, Abdullah said it is a matter of perception as there have been other Umno secetaries-general who could function without holding any Cabinet post. He said he has also spoken to Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who has declared his willingness to take up the post. On the two deputy ministers who had rejected their appointment - Datuk Anifah Aman and Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar - Abdullah said they met him yesterday to discuss their decisions as both felt they had enough of two terms being deputy ministers and wanted to make way for someone else. "The discussion went on well. There were no fights or raising of voice," he said, adding it was only natural for both of them to feel sad not to be promoted but there was nothing else beyond that. He said he has already asked Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman submit the name of his choice for replacement while in the case of Tengku Azlan, he said the replacement may not necessarily be from Pahang. On Wanita Umno members' unhappiness with the lack of representation in Cabinet, Abdullah said he will meet them and speak to them, hoping they would understand that not many of them had won in the election. On Umno Youth's decision not to take any action against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, he said it was the wing's decision made in the best interest of the party. "I don't instruct the Umno Youth to do this or that," he added. Asked whether the latest development after the Cabinet announcement will create divisions within BN, Abdullah asked: "Why should it create divisions? You tell me how. There would not be any quarrels. It is a matter of organising, and defining, and the sphere of responsibility." - THE SUN
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Firstly - if one is not a minister, why get perks of a minister?
Secondly - if problems are indeed faced by Malay Muslims, why not just appoint Sharizat as full minister and make her a Senator? Put Ng Yen Yen somewhere else
There is really a cloudy mind at work here. What the PM must clarify is WHO GIVES INSTRUCTIONS and WHO TAKES THEM? I bet it's still Sharizat