Nothing wrong with pushing for Cabinet appointments, says Umno man
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025
Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025
By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan said the Cabinet is the prerogative of the prime minister. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: An Umno leader says there is nothing wrong with political parties pushing for Cabinet appointments although Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has the final say on the matter. 'It's up to the prime minister as the Cabinet is his prerogative. 'But it is not wrong to ask for ministerial posts,' Ahmad Maslan, an Umno Supreme Council member, was quoted as saying by Berita Harian. The deputy works minister was referring to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for the prime minister to ensure that his party is restored to its quota of seven ministers in the Cabinet following Tengku Zafrul Aziz's resignation from the party. Zahid said Umno had only six ministers now. 'With Tengku Zafrul no longer in Umno, the party has a right to request that a minister's portfolio be given to us,' Zahid, the deputy prime minister, was quoted as saying. Ahmad's comments were also in response to Anwar's statement that there was no pressing need for a Cabinet reshuffle despite the resignation of two ministers. Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down as economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister respectively, following their defeat at the PKR polls. Rafizi lost his PKR deputy presidency to Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, while Nik Nazmi failed to be re-elected as a party vice-president. A few days ago, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who is transport minister, said the two posts had yet to be vacated as the PKR duo are merely on leave for now. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Zahid hails London visit as bridge to reinforce Malaysia-UK ties
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described his four-day working visit to the United Kingdom which concluded Wednesday as a bridge to strengthen bilateral relations. Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the visit, filled with discussions and programmes, differed from previous visits as he had the opportunity to personally witness the commitment of students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) at University College London (UCL) during a session with them. "…we (delegation) saw their commitment not only to acquiring knowledge but also to acting as catalysts for Generation Z and Generation Alpha. When they come here and gain knowledge, then return to Malaysia, they will contribute not only to their professions but to other fields as well, providing motivation especially to Generation Alpha and the millennial generation," he told a press conference here upon the conclusion of his visit. Additionally, Zahid shared that Malaysia's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) received very positive feedback from the university and students who were excited about the government's game-changing initiatives. "…we are aware of the government's aim to create 60,000 high-tech engineering job opportunities, and we have requested for the Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes to be expedited," he said. Beyond TVET, the visit also strengthened cooperation in rural development, renewable energy, and climate resilience through Zahid's meeting with the UK's Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed. The meeting also discussed collaboration in rural transformation, disaster management, water security, and investments in green energy, including the reactivation of the Asean Power Grid. During the visit, Malaysia also proposed the use of green sukuk for climate financing and efforts to lead the global halal ecosystem through the World Halal Council and a unified halal logo. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade relations under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and through private sector cooperation. Through the Malaysia-UK franchise business dialogue held during the visit, Ahmad Zahid expressed hope that it would help Malaysian franchise brands penetrate the UK market by 2026. Zahid also expressed confidence that the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026) in the UK would expand collaboration with UK industry players, including airlines, to attract more UK tourists to Malaysia.
Daily Express
7 hours ago
- Daily Express
Court to hear Muhyiddin's reference bid on August 28
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 By: Ho Kit Yen, FMT Text Size: Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin is accused of making seditious statements during the Nenggiri by-election in Gua Musang, Kelantan, last year. (Bernama pic) Kuala Lumpur: The High Court here will hear Muhyiddin Yassin's bid to refer legal questions to the apex court on the validity of certain provisions under the Sedition Act on Aug 28. The former prime minister is accused of making seditious statements during the Nenggiri by-election in Gua Musang, Kelantan, last year. Justice Jamil Hussin fixed the date after lawyer Joshua Tay, appearing for Muhyiddin, told the court that the defence and prosecution had agreed on the date. The court then instructed the prosecution and defence to file their submissions by Aug 14. Deputy public prosecutor Razali Che Ani appeared for the prosecution. Muhyiddin allegedly said he was not invited by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be sworn in as prime minister following the 2022 general election, despite having obtained the majority support of 115 MPs. If found guilty, the Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president will face a jail term that could extend to three years or a maximum fine of RM5,000. Muhyiddin was initially charged at the Gua Musang sessions court in August last year. On Nov 27, Justice Azmi Abdullah allowed his application to have the case transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Zahid's remarks on Tengku Zafrul show Umno ready to move on, says analyst
Analysts said Tengku Zafrul Aziz's departure will have little impact on Umno, likely because he is neither an MP nor a state assemblyman. PETALING JAYA : Recent remarks by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the party is not losing sleep over Tengku Zafrul Aziz's departure signal Umno's readiness to move on from the former Supreme Council member, according to a political analyst. Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Zahid's stance suggested that Umno, having weathered numerous political challenges, would not be shaken by the departure of any individual, even one as high-profile as the investment, trade and industry minister. 'This is a form of damage control to reinforce party loyalty over personal allegiance. Umno is making it clear that it no longer wants to be seen as dependent on technocrats or 'parachute candidates' who lack strong grassroots support, such as Tengku Zafrul in Kuala Selangor and later Kota Raja. 'It also shows that Umno is working to rebuild a grassroots-oriented identity rather than one rooted in political elites,' he told FMT. On June 2, Zahid said the party was not losing sleep over Tengku Zafrul's decision to quit and his intention to join PKR, adding that it was 'better he left if he couldn't remain loyal'. Tengku Zafrul failed to wrest the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat during the 15th general election and currently serves as Umno's Kota Raja division chief. Awang Azman said Zahid's statement might not fully appease party leaders or grassroots members, as some still viewed Tengku Zafrul as a political opportunist who 'rode on the party's goodwill' without earning it through merit or sacrifice. 'To prevent this episode from becoming a political liability in the next general election, Umno must act wisely and consolidate its internal strength, not just to move on but also to move forward,' he said. He warned that mishandling the issue could give the impression of internal instability, urging firm action to prevent political opportunism from taking root in the party. 'Zahid's leadership must be followed by a strategy to repair internal perceptions,' he said. Meanwhile, Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara said Zahid's stance suggested that Tengku Zafrul's exit had little practical impact on Umno, likely because he holds no elected office. 'The Umno president must demonstrate political maturity, as whatever he says will be taken as principle and guidance. 'The best way to curb the polemics is by opening constructive dialogue channels with all stakeholders and working together to find solutions,' he said.
