Hamzah Zainudin and Mustapa Mohamed, both former Umno members, and former PKR leader Azmin Ali are said to be in the running for the deputy prime minister’s job.
PETALING JAYA: With Ismail Sabri Yaakob officially named as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister, the question of who will be his deputy is now on everyone’s mind.
The speculation is that Bersatu, which decided to back Ismail despite the toppling of its president Muhyiddin Yassin, will push for its man to become the Umno vice-president’s number two, and analysts are split over who would be the best candidate.
One message was clear: Bersatu will have to pick a candidate who is able to appeal to both Umno and its supporters.
“There are a lot of names being floated, like Hamzah Zainudin, Azmin Ali, Tok Pa (Mustapa Mohamed) and even rumours that former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu could be picked,” noted Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
“Whoever they pick, they will need to ensure it helps maintain goodwill with Umno, as Bersatu will need their help winning seats in the next election,” he told FMT.
“Somebody like Tok Pa would be non-controversial, while Hamzah and Azmin are seen as polarising and Umno may not favour them because of that.”
Oh said the general perception that Mustapa is a “technocrat” – somebody with a high degree of technical expertise – will help offset some of the ill-feelings some in Umno or on the ground may feel towards their former member. Mustapa left Umno to join Bersatu in September 2018 after the fall of the Barisan Nasional government.
Tunku Mohar Mokhtar of International Islamic University Malaysia said that he expected Hamzah to be a popular choice in Bersatu because of his former ties to Umno.
“Some of the Bersatu grassroots might argue that somebody like Supreme Council member Redzuan Md Yusof should be rewarded for his loyalty as he’s been with the party from the beginning.
“But I hear from some sources within Umno that Hamzah would be their preferred pick from Bersatu, as he was with them before he defected.
“He is likely to be favoured by Umno and his selection would also appease the Bersatu grassroots, however it is hard to tell how large that base is.”
PETALING JAYA: With Ismail Sabri Yaakob officially named as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister, the question of who will be his deputy is now on everyone’s mind.
The speculation is that Bersatu, which decided to back Ismail despite the toppling of its president Muhyiddin Yassin, will push for its man to become the Umno vice-president’s number two, and analysts are split over who would be the best candidate.
One message was clear: Bersatu will have to pick a candidate who is able to appeal to both Umno and its supporters.
“There are a lot of names being floated, like Hamzah Zainudin, Azmin Ali, Tok Pa (Mustapa Mohamed) and even rumours that former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu could be picked,” noted Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
“Whoever they pick, they will need to ensure it helps maintain goodwill with Umno, as Bersatu will need their help winning seats in the next election,” he told FMT.
“Somebody like Tok Pa would be non-controversial, while Hamzah and Azmin are seen as polarising and Umno may not favour them because of that.”
Oh said the general perception that Mustapa is a “technocrat” – somebody with a high degree of technical expertise – will help offset some of the ill-feelings some in Umno or on the ground may feel towards their former member. Mustapa left Umno to join Bersatu in September 2018 after the fall of the Barisan Nasional government.
Tunku Mohar Mokhtar of International Islamic University Malaysia said that he expected Hamzah to be a popular choice in Bersatu because of his former ties to Umno.
“Some of the Bersatu grassroots might argue that somebody like Supreme Council member Redzuan Md Yusof should be rewarded for his loyalty as he’s been with the party from the beginning.
“But I hear from some sources within Umno that Hamzah would be their preferred pick from Bersatu, as he was with them before he defected.
“He is likely to be favoured by Umno and his selection would also appease the Bersatu grassroots, however it is hard to tell how large that base is.”
I propose our New PM appoints Zuraida as Special Envoy or Menteri Telly-Ban, she oredy has a Sharia-Compliant Burqa....her Full Face Hazmat Suit...ha ha ha...
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Zuraida wants to promote women’s rights in Afghanistan
FMT Reporters -August 20, 2021
PETALING JAYA: If given the opportunity, former housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said she would be interested in making another trip to Afghanistan to guide the Taliban in promoting women’s development and empowerment.
The Ampang MP also called on other progressive Islamic countries to send female representatives to the crisis-stricken country to do the same.
In a statement, Zuraida recalled how women were “generally considered second-class citizens whose rights were often denied by the government,” when she last visited the country during a 2002 aid mission, shortly after the US began its invasion of the country to overthrow the Taliban.
“In the 20 years since Afghanistan was abandoned by the Taliban, we see opportunities have opened up for women and girls there to gain knowledge and venture into various fields such as science and technology.
“Now, the Taliban has returned to reclaim the reins of government in a country they had left behind.”
However, since the Taliban’s recent and forceful return to power, Zuraida said its leaders had offered a “little ray of hope” that this progress may continue through their stated stance that girls will be allowed to continue attending school.
“Now, we have to look at the extent of the Taliban’s commitment to continue allowing such things to be implemented.
“I believe that if the whole world is united, we will be able to put pressure on the Taliban to no longer adopt their outdated rules.”
She said there was much the Taliban could learn from Malaysia, such as optimising the role of women in politics, education, the economy and society.
“While changing their thinking is difficult, we must continue to find ways so that women and girls in Afghanistan have the opportunity to advance themselves for the sake of achieving a better future.”
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Ahmad Faizal Azumu will fit well with Ismail Sabri.... about the same level of ability.
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