
Analyst sees move to muscle out Peja before GE16
PETALING JAYA : The removal of Ahmad Faizal Azumu as Perikatan Nasional information chief is being viewed by political analysts as 'a clear sign' he is being squeezed out of the top PN leadership before the next general election.
Political analyst Tawfiq Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said the absence of an official announcement on Radzi Jidin replacing Faizal as information chief, a post to which Faizal was appointed just five months ago, clearly showed an attempt to muscle him out.
The latest development had dealt yet another blow to the reputation and image of Faizal, a former Perak menteri besar, who had been linked to other issues, including Bersatu matters in Perak.
'I'm confident that this change is linked to his declining performance and the growing wave of rejection against him,' Tawfiq told FMT. 'PN was in a dilemma – if the change wasn't made, internal pressure from within Bersatu and PN against Faizal would have become increasingly difficult to contain.'
Last month, several Bersatu assemblymen and division leaders in Perak were said to be unhappy with Faizal for seeking a change of acting opposition leader in the state assembly.
He had sent a letter requesting that Sungai Manik assemblyman Zainol Fadzi Paharudin swap seats with Changkat Jong assemblyman Nadziruddin Bandi, a change deemed to be part of a power struggle for the role of acting opposition leader.
However, Faizal said the request was simply because Nadziruddin was recently promoted to Perak Bersatu secretary, which Zainol had relinquished.
But his leadership abilities were called into question by analysts after Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin was reportedly assigned to alleviate tensions in the state party.
In December, Faizal took over as PN information chief from Azmin Ali, who was made secretary-general, while Radzi was also appointed to the PN Supreme Council.
Earlier this week, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari revealed Radzi's appointment after saying the latter had chaired a meeting as PN information chief.
Faizal was elected Bersatu vice-president alongside Radzi and Ronald Kiandee in November, after agreeing not to defend the deputy president's post to make way for Hamzah.
In the 2022 general election, Faizal lost his Tambun parliamentary seat to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim by 3,736 votes. He also opted not to defend the Chenderiang state seat he won in the 2018 polls.
Radzi's new role in PN could inject some much-needed spirit into the machinery, says Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, as Faizal seemed to be ineffective in the role.
He said the party machinery under the information chief played a crucial role in spreading the coalition's messages to Malaysians.
'The dissemination of information is very important in order to boost PN's momentum,' he said. 'This is aimed at bolstering the coalition's position as a challenger to the Madani government'.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Indigenous groups demand probe into Belaga forest clearing, cite MSPO violations
In a letter to the Sarawak Premier, senior state officials, and the federal Minister of Plantation and Commodities, the communities claimed the company has cleared native forest since late 2023. – Photo courtesy of Zora Chan/WWF-Malaysia MIRI (Aug 21): The Penan and Kenyah communities of Long Urun, Belaga have appealed to state and federal authorities to immediately halt forest clearing by a plantation company, alleging breaches of sustainable palm oil standards and violations of indigenous land rights. In a letter to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, senior state officials, and the federal Minister of Plantation and Commodities, the communities claimed the company has cleared native forest since late 2023. Supported by NGOs SAVE Rivers Network and The Borneo Project, they argued the activities contravene Malaysia's 'no deforestation' policy and breach Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards, which prohibit conversion of natural forests after Dec 31, 2019. The NGOs also said the company failed to meet conditions of its Provisional Lease, issued in 1997. 'For generations, the forests have been the indigenous groups' source of food, clean water, medicine, cultural identity, and livelihoods,' the NGOs said, adding that native customary rights (NCR) lands were developed without community consent. Despite efforts including a court injunction, blockades, petitions, and a complaint to the MSPO Board, the communities alleged that clearing has continued. They said police dismantled two peaceful blockades since December, arresting five villagers. The appeal calls for an immediate halt to all clearing, an independent investigation, a probe into possible lease violations, recognition of NCR lands, and public release of lease maps and environmental impact assessments. SAVE Rivers director Celine Lim said the case is 'a test of Sarawak's and Malaysia's credibility on the global stage'. belaga forest clearing MSPO oil palm plantation


Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar's proposal for Ministry of Law aligns with Malaysia Madani agenda, says Azalina
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal to establish a Ministry of Law is in line with the Malaysia Madani agenda, which upholds integrity, transparency and the rule of law as the foundation of the nation's progress, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said the announcement underscores the importance of the ministry in strengthening the country's legal ecosystem, enhancing the effectiveness of institutional reforms, and expanding public access to justice. 'InsyaAllah, we will continue to drive the success of the legal reform agenda, which not only benefits Malaysians but also positions Asean as a just, resilient, and prosperous region,' she said in a Facebook post today. Earlier, in his keynote address at the Asean Law Forum 2025, Anwar said the government was considering the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Law to ensure greater coherence in the national legal system. He said the move would also enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with regional partners in advancing the rule of law, particularly with fellow Asean member states. Azalina also expressed her appreciation to Anwar for delivering the keynote address and witnessing the adoption of the Joint Statement at the inaugural forum. She said this reflects the nation's leadership commitment to reinforcing regional legal cooperation in pursuit of more inclusive justice. 'Also, my gratitude to fellow Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Law from Asean member states, including Timor-Leste and Japan, as well as Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn,' she added. — Bernama

Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Islamic community centres should be inclusive spaces, says Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Islamic community centres should serve as more than just places of worship, by being inclusive spaces that unite people from diverse backgrounds, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He said such centres have the potential to nurture interfaith relations, strengthen community ties and create opportunities for personal growth. 'Imagine Islamic community centre as a space that nurtures interfaith relations, promotes mutual understanding, and provides opportunities for learning, skill-building, and support. 'A place where hearts are connected, where people of diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, and where lasting bonds of friendship are built,' he said in his opening speech at the launch of Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Islamic Community Centre (TICC) here, today. Also present were Federal Territories Mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil and TRX City Sdn Bhd's chief executive officer Datuk Azmar Talib. Mohd Na'im said that throughout history, mosque as a community centre, played a central role in governance, learning, and social development, highlighting that the same spirit should be reflected in modern Islamic community centres. He added that community centres that offer educational programmes, skills training and welfare activities could enrich society and embody the values of compassion and service to humanity. Meanwhile, Mohd Na'im also urged relevant parties to expedite the approval for TICC to be recognised as a permanent Friday prayer venue. Since last year, TICC that could withhold the capacity of more than 1,000 people only serves as a temporary site for Friday prayers. — Bernama