THE Finance Minister’s role has been reduced to a mere bookkeeper under the newly formed Cabinet, says MCA lawmaker Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

Debating on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address, Dr Wee said the overlap between the Finance Ministry and Economic Affairs Ministry had resulted in much confusion among the business community.

He urged the government to explain the overlap of ministries.

The public perception, he said, was that the Finance Minister has been reduced to a mere bookkeeper under the newly formed Cabinet.

He also took a swipe at the Pakatan Harapan government for failing to fulfil its poll promises.

Debating on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address, Dr Wee said among these were promising to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) within 30 days of coming into power and to do away with the tourism tax.

“It is now about 70 days (for the UEC) but they are singing a different a tune,” he said.

“On the tourism tax, the Tourism Arts and Culture Minister is now saying that the review is still ongoing as the nation will lose a lot if it is abolished,” he added.

Another inconsistency with the Pakatan administration was on the issue of the controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik, Dr Wee pointed out.

Previously, Pakatan, he said, had wanted the preacher to be deported but now it has abided by the Prime Minister’s decision not to do so.

Pakatan had also pledged to do away with the Federal Territories Ministry but in the end, retained it, he added.

“This is about inconsistency by the Government. Before this, they promise all sorts but there are too many flip flops,” he said.

Dr Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, later told reporters in the Parliament lobby that Pakatan’s “unfulfilled promises remain as empty promises.”