It is DSAI prerogative. His DPM. His Minister. His Cabinet.
- Hussein Abdul Hamid
- Nov 30, 2022
- 2 min read
We are now beyond the boundaries of anything that we had ever gone through when we were Malaya, and now Malaysia. Beyond the boundaries of the 1948 - 1960 Malayan emergency. Beyond Kofrontasi - that armed conflict with Indonesia that lasted from 1963 to 1966 when Sukarno wanted to ganyang Malaysia because he opposed its creation. Beyond May13, beyond Malaysia and the leaving of it, by Singapore. Beyond that electoral victory over BN in PRU14, only to lose it twenty-two months later back to BN. All that is over and done with.
With Pakatan Harapan, we are now again, on the cusp of a triumphant victory. A hard-earned electoral victory that now needs to be translated into a Unity Government. Eleven days after polling day, there has been only the appointment of a single member of that Unity Government - it's Prime Minister DSAI.
As Tagore said : "You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water". DSAI must now set sail to cross the Rubicon and begin the work we have elected him to do - a government for the people, by the people and for the people...and if the wind will not serve, take the oars! Do whatever you need to do to begin the process of government.
DSAI has to decide if he will accept Umno's nomination of Zahid Hamidi as DPM.
As President of Umno, Zahid Hamidi unilaterally made the decision to support PH in spite of considerable opposition from BN's coalition partners and from factions within Umno.
That decision was crucial in getting DSAI across the finishing line to be Prime Minister of a Unity Government.
For that support to continue, Zahid Hamidi must remain as President of Umno at the next party election due, at the latest, in six months' time.
A DPM post for Zahid Hamidi will give him credibility within Umno to continue as its president at that party election, for, has he not been able to secure for Umno, a senior post within the Cabinet of the Unity Government?
Zahid Hamidi has been a friend in adversity to DSAI. It is a no-brainer. All the way with BN.
Its wrong to say 11 days after polling, only PM is elected. Its the PM who’s going to select his cabinet members hence count out should start when he’s elected. There’s no need to rush ….. just need to be sure the right person for the right post. Qualification besides integrity is key …. Unlike during Sabri n Mudin’s time whereby any tom, dick or harry can become a minister or special advisor. Its just to make up numbers from each ruling party.
Imagine we had a lebai who knew nothing about environment was selected. And another lebai who is banned from entering a Middle East country became its Special Envoy