KUALA LUMPUR – Putting Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan as foreign minister is a strategic move to subdue his influence in the party, as he is seen as a threat to his boss, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, claims Bersatu’s Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Wan Saiful also suggested that Mohamad be given a non-strategic role that would see him out of the country most of the time, allowing Zahid to continue to exert influence as Umno president.
“To subdue the progress of (Mohamad), (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) sent him to the Foreign Ministry – which is an important ministry for the nation, but not strategic for an individual who is one step away from contesting Zahid as Umno president.
“The Foreign Ministry is not strategic for (Mohamad), as he will be forced to be outstation for long periods, providing space for Zahid to continue strategising for himself in Umno.
“The ministry also does not have many agencies that (Mohamad) can use to provide support for the Umno grassroots. Therefore, his value in the party will drop.
“Although he is performing an important service for the nation, (Mohamad’s) position in Umno is being weakened by Zahid,” Wan Saiful said in a statement.
In contrast, Wan Saiful welcomed the appointments of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Armizan Mohd Ali and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, saying they have high potential as figures of the new generation of politics.
He added that Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s appointment as health minister was expected.
Wan Saiful also “congratulated” DAP stalwart Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang’s family, sarcastically saying that his daughter Hui Ying’s appointment as deputy finance minister would see a “thriving” Bumiputera economic development agenda.
Meanwhile, in a press conference today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke dismissed negative perceptions of Hui Ying’s appointment, saying that government policies cannot be decided by a single person.
Earlier today, Anwar announced a new line-up for his cabinet, which saw V. Sivakumar replaced by Steven Sim as the human resources minister, as well as deputy ministers Ramkarpal Singh and Datuk Siti Aminah Aching, being dropped.
Anwar cited several identified challenges as the reason for the cabinet reshuffle and introduction of two new ministries, including the economy, cost of living and public welfare, as well as ventures into digitalisation. – December 12, 2023