Can parties promise DPM posts for Borneo support?

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Political Parties Can Promise Deputy Prime Minister Posts for Borneo Support

Political leaders have indicated the possibility of appointing Deputy Prime Ministers (DPMs) from the Borneo states as a means to secure support for their respective coalitions in the upcoming 15th general election. These promises suggest a strategy to enhance representation and appeal to voters in Sabah and Sarawak.
Pakatan Harapan's Proposal for Dual DPMs

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, president of PKR and leader of Pakatan Harapan (PH), stated that the coalition would consider appointing two Deputy Prime Ministers if they win the general election. He specifically mentioned that one of these DPM positions could be allocated to a representative from Sabah and Sarawak. This proposal was made while Anwar was in Kota Kinabalu, highlighting the focus on the Borneo states.
Barisan Nasional's Offer of Up to Three DPMs

In a separate development, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed that Barisan Nasional (BN) could appoint as many as three Deputy Prime Ministers if the coalition secures full control of Putrajaya. Ahmad Zahid asserted that a DPM position from Sabah would be a certainty should BN win the general election on November 19. He further commented that the Federal Constitution does not preclude the appointment of three DPMs, suggesting the structural feasibility of such an arrangement.
Historical Context of Deputy Prime Minister Appointments

While Malaysia has historically had a Deputy Prime Minister, this position was notably omitted by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after he assumed control of the government in 2020, in an effort to maintain a delicate alliance. Subsequently, caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also chose not to name a DPM while leading a coalition government. The current discussions by Anwar and Ahmad Zahid signal a potential return to or expansion of the DPM role, with a specific focus on including representation from the Borneo region.

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Can parties promise DPM posts for Borneo support?

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