IPOH – Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he will not be disheartened if he is not made deputy prime minister, amid talk of a Bersatu member filling in the post.
The Bersatu deputy president said he will be pleased to serve in any ministerial capacity, reported Malay Mail.
“I know it will be a huge responsibility. I will serve the people with whatever capacity and definitely give my best.”
He told a press conference via Zoom today that he was not upset when removed as Perak menteri besar last year, after losing the confidence vote in the state assembly.
“I am sure everyone knows that I am still happy even though I lost the menteri besar post. I am even more spirited to serve the people now.
“At the moment, I am carrying out my duties as Tambun MP and Chenderiang rep. Both these duties are already huge for me.
“So, I will not be sad, but I will be happy if the newly appointed prime minister can form a stable government and pull us out of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic misery,” he was quoted as saying.
Faizal said he is supportive of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the future cabinet line-up.
Bernama also reported Faizal as saying that Bersatu has proposed to Ismail Sabri Yaakob several names deemed suitable to fill the minister and deputy minister posts in his cabinet.
The names were finalised at the party’s supreme leadership council meeting recently, he said.
“I believe the prime minister will make a wise decision and bring the proposed names to the Agong for consideration. If the process runs smoothly, the prime minister will soon announce it.”
Earlier, The Vibes reported that Bersatu is vying for the deputy prime minister post, with names such as Faizal, vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and secretary-general and former home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin floated as potential candidates.
“He (Azmin) is pushing very hard, and his associates have even threatened to pull out if their demands are not fulfilled,” said a source linked to the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“Not all in Bersatu and Umno are in unison with Azmin.”
The source said Ismail Sabri is under tremendous pressure from the Umno leadership to impose the majority of candidates from the party and sideline its Perikatan Nasional partners, especially Bersatu.
“The prime minister wants the (cabinet) list to be reconciliatory in nature, with certain ministers under Muhyiddin’s cabinet retained to ensure continuity.
“But at the same time, as Umno vice-president, he is being hounded by party warlords to give in to their demands as well.” – The Vibes, August 25, 2021
