FMT:
Anwar unaware of Amirudin’s federal plans, Nurul Izzah’s succession move
4 hours ago
'Ainin Wan Salleh
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says this was merely Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari's personal view
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said that any Cabinet reshuffle at this stage would only be to fill existing vacancies.
JOHANNESBURG: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says he is unaware of any intention by Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari to take up a federal post, adding that he has also not heard of his deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar being floated as a possible successor.
Amirudin said yesterday that Nurul Izzah, who is Anwar’s eldest daughter, would gain valuable administrative experience if she took charge of Selangor, without sparking charges of nepotism should she be appointed directly to the federal Cabinet.
When asked about Amirudin’s proposal, Anwar said it was merely the menteri besar’s personal view.
“Nobody discussed it with me,” the prime minister told reporters after attending a dinner at the Sandton Hotel here with the Malaysian diaspora in South Africa.
Pressed on Amirudin’s readiness to assume federal duties, Anwar replied: “When is the next (general) election? A long time more, so we’ll discuss this later.”
He added that any Cabinet reshuffle at this stage would only be to fill existing vacancies.
Amirudin, a PKR vice-president, said that he had even suggested to Nurul Izzah that she take on the menteri besar role, but emphasised that the final decision rests with her.
Nurul Izzah currently holds no elected position after losing the Permatang Pauh seat in the 2022 general election. She had briefly served as senior economic and finance adviser to the prime minister.
Amirudin, now in his second term, had also confirmed he is considering a federal post.
He said that if a ministerial opportunity arises, he would “try his best”, but for now, he wishes to complete his term as menteri besar.
The current Selangor government’s mandate lasts until 2028. Amirudin had previously indicated he preferred staying on as menteri besar rather than taking up a federal post.
A Cabinet reshuffle may be imminent following the resignation of Upko president Ewon Benedick as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, while the Senate term of investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz ends next month.
Two other Cabinet posts have been vacant since May following the resignations of economy minister Rafizi Ramli, and natural resources and environment sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Their portfolios are being handled by finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan, and plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani, respectively.
Amirudin said yesterday that Nurul Izzah, who is Anwar’s eldest daughter, would gain valuable administrative experience if she took charge of Selangor, without sparking charges of nepotism should she be appointed directly to the federal Cabinet.
When asked about Amirudin’s proposal, Anwar said it was merely the menteri besar’s personal view.
“Nobody discussed it with me,” the prime minister told reporters after attending a dinner at the Sandton Hotel here with the Malaysian diaspora in South Africa.
Pressed on Amirudin’s readiness to assume federal duties, Anwar replied: “When is the next (general) election? A long time more, so we’ll discuss this later.”
He added that any Cabinet reshuffle at this stage would only be to fill existing vacancies.
Amirudin, a PKR vice-president, said that he had even suggested to Nurul Izzah that she take on the menteri besar role, but emphasised that the final decision rests with her.
Nurul Izzah currently holds no elected position after losing the Permatang Pauh seat in the 2022 general election. She had briefly served as senior economic and finance adviser to the prime minister.
Amirudin, now in his second term, had also confirmed he is considering a federal post.
He said that if a ministerial opportunity arises, he would “try his best”, but for now, he wishes to complete his term as menteri besar.
The current Selangor government’s mandate lasts until 2028. Amirudin had previously indicated he preferred staying on as menteri besar rather than taking up a federal post.
A Cabinet reshuffle may be imminent following the resignation of Upko president Ewon Benedick as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, while the Senate term of investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz ends next month.
Two other Cabinet posts have been vacant since May following the resignations of economy minister Rafizi Ramli, and natural resources and environment sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Their portfolios are being handled by finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan, and plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani, respectively.
***
Years back, when Pakatan ruled Selangor for the first time, there was a tentative proposal to nominate Teresa Kok as the State's deputy Menteri Besar. O my God, the fury, consternation and brouhaha that ensued would have made you imagined the country was hit by a mighty tsunami.
But tsunami it actually was, though one of socio-political consequences. Teresa was cursed in Malaysian eyes by the 3 'C's, to wit, Chinese, Christian (Catholic), Chabor. Will Nurul be cursed by the one 'C' that's still important to many Malays, namely Chabor?
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