PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub welcomes the formation of a "shadow" Cabinet, saying that having a peer from the Opposition will make him more effective in his role.
He also said that the next parliament meeting will see discussions on whether the shadow Cabinet, also known as the Perikatan MPs portfolio committee, as the shadow Cabinet is called, should be officially recognised by the government in the spirit of a mature democracy.
"I welcome Datuk Rosol Wahid to shadow me and am open to more engagement with the Opposition. More engagement by the government with the Opposition and the people is good for the people's interests and the nation as a whole," Salahuddin told The Star.
On Feb 2, Perikatan announced that Rosol, the former deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister and Hulu Terengganu MP, would shadow Salahuddin's portfolio.
Salahuddin added that his experience as a former Opposition MP gave hm insight into the need for a shadow Cabinet.
"I have been in the Opposition before, then the government, returned to the Opposition and (back in) the government again.
"I understand the importance of engaging the Opposition. It will help with ministerial matters which have to do with the people's main interests.
"There must be open discussion between us and the Opposition as we are all representatives of the people," said Salahuddin.
The Parti Amanah Negara deputy president also said since there are already Parliament Select Committees (PSC) which bring together MPs from ruling parties and the Opposition, the shadow cabinet was a welcome move towards empowering democracy in the country.
"In the next Parliament meeting, there will be an official meeting with government MPs and backbenchers on whether we should recognise them officially. I have always believed that Opposition parliamentarians should be part of PSCs. Let the chief whips discuss it further.
"The government is open to enhancing the spirit of democracy in the name of mature politics," said Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP.
On Feb 2, Opposition coalition Perikatan unveiled its shadow Cabinet with its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin leading the line-up.
In the shadow Cabinet, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is Muhyiddin's deputy, while Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin remains the Opposition leader in Parliament.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan is the shadow home minister, while Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia vice-president Datuk Radzi Md Jidin is the shadow finance and economic minister.
Muhyiddin had stated that the formation of the shadow Cabinet was based on the respective MPs' backgrounds and past experience in government to ensure an effective Opposition bloc.
