Zaid proposes Tengku Maimun for PM, claiming she outshines all politicians
Published: Aug 19, 2025 4:05 PM
Updated: 6:11 PM
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has floated an audacious idea - make former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat the next prime minister.
Zaid hailed her as a figure of rare courage and integrity, untouched by the scandals that plague the political class.
“Why Tengku Maimun? Integrity and independence,” he said in a social media post.
“As chief justice, she displayed uncommon courage, most notably in upholding the principle that no one, not even powerful politicians, is above the law. That independence is exactly what Malaysia’s political system is starving for,” he added.
Zaid highlighted her “clean image”, stressing that she remains untainted by the scandals, cronyism, and baggage that burden many politicians.
Former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat
“A prime minister who doesn’t carry the weight of deals, debts, or dynasties would be a reset button for governance,” he added.
According to Zaid, if Malaysia’s first woman chief justice were to become the nation’s first woman prime minister, it would project reform, inclusivity, and moral authority both at home and abroad.
‘Opposition should pick her as PM candidate’
He also argued that the opposition should rally behind her as a “unity candidate”, a move that could shatter the claim that no credible alternative exists to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim within the current crop of politicians.
However, the former minister weighed how different parties might respond to the idea, conceding that PAS could be reluctant.
“While Tengku Maimun has Islamic credentials as a Malay-Muslim woman of high integrity, PAS often prefers its own leaders. However, they could find her a compromise candidate acceptable to both urban moderates and rural conservatives.
“Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional are desperate for a credible face to prove they can govern responsibly. Adopting Tengku Maimun as a unity candidate could neutralise Anwar’s taunts that the opposition has no alternative.
“A prime minister who doesn’t carry the weight of deals, debts, or dynasties would be a reset button for governance,” he added.
According to Zaid, if Malaysia’s first woman chief justice were to become the nation’s first woman prime minister, it would project reform, inclusivity, and moral authority both at home and abroad.
‘Opposition should pick her as PM candidate’
He also argued that the opposition should rally behind her as a “unity candidate”, a move that could shatter the claim that no credible alternative exists to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim within the current crop of politicians.
However, the former minister weighed how different parties might respond to the idea, conceding that PAS could be reluctant.
“While Tengku Maimun has Islamic credentials as a Malay-Muslim woman of high integrity, PAS often prefers its own leaders. However, they could find her a compromise candidate acceptable to both urban moderates and rural conservatives.
“Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional are desperate for a credible face to prove they can govern responsibly. Adopting Tengku Maimun as a unity candidate could neutralise Anwar’s taunts that the opposition has no alternative.
“Other blocs (MCA, MIC, GPS, GRS, Warisan): They might warm to her since she represents no political faction. She could be the bridge for a national unity reset,” he added.
With Tengku Maimum in their corner, Zaid pointed out that the opposition could claim to have someone better than Anwar for the top post.
“A courageous former chief justice who served with dignity, applied the law without fear or favour, and is untainted by the toxic culture of money politics. Tengku Maimun represents the kind of leader Malaysia deserves.
“If positioned carefully, her candidacy could both shame the ruling bloc and galvanise disillusioned voters who want integrity over rhetoric,” he added.
Tengku Maimun’s final days in office were marked by controversy, from the government’s refusal to extend her tenure to her overseas speech opposing the prime minister’s role in judicial appointments, and the leak of the minutes of a Judicial Appointments Committee meeting that thrust a senior judge into the spotlight.
Tengku Maimun retired on July 2 after holding the post for six years. She was appointed in 2019 under the Pakatan Harapan government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
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