00:00PKR's Lee Chen Chong has opposed the proposal to create a ministerial position in charge of non-Muslim religious affairs,
00:08pointing out that the current government had wanted to reduce the size of its cabinet.
00:12In a statement, Lee, the PKR communications director, said,
00:16the proposal was absurd and would send the wrong message that the Mandani government is not serious about reducing the deficit.
00:22The Petaling Jaya MP said former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had a total of 16 ministers and deputies in his cabinet,
00:29while his predecessor had 70.
00:32Lee also said that the creation of such a portfolio could result in discussions overshadowing other critical issues such as the economy and security,
00:40given the limited time set aside for cabinet meetings.
00:44He said when it came to such matters, the National Unity Ministry should be more competent and proactive,
00:49suggesting the establishment of a bipartisan committee comprising representatives from different races and religions.
00:56On Wednesday, Raup MP Chow Yiu-hui of DAP proposed a separate portfolio to manage non-Muslim religious affairs
01:04that could curb controversies linked to religious issues.
