KUALA LUMPUR – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has thrown support behind the government’s move to appoint former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as National Recovery Council chairman.
On Facebook, the Marang MP, who recently retained his post as Malaysia’s special envoy to the Middle East, had extended a congratulatory message to Muhyiddin, who will play a leading role in the country’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This appointment is a continuation of the work he (Muhyiddin) began, in line with his experience in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic,” Hadi said in the Facebook post this afternoon.
“Hopefully, his partnership with the prime minister ensures that all efforts and plans to restore the country run smoothly, (and) in order to ensure the continuation of the people’s livelihoods and their economic stability.”
Hadi’s congratulatory message for Muhyiddin comes after the latter was made the council’s chairman, which carries the rank of minister, as announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali yesterday.
In a statement, Zuki said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been informed of the appointment.
On Facebook yesterday, Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP. thanked the cabinet, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, for the role and expressed gratitude to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for allowing the appointment.
Muhyiddin’s appointment also sent social media abuzz with reactions from politicians, most of whom slammed it.
Among those who criticised the move were Pejuang president and Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who vented his frustration over “#KerajaanGagal’s stupidity”, and DAP’s M. Kula Segaran who called on Muhyiddin to turn down the appointment.
The former prime minister’s appointment also comes after the government announced the continuation of Hadi’s role as envoy to the Middle East three days ago.
Hadi was appointed to the position on April 2 last year, just a month after the infamous Sheraton Move that led to Muhyiddin being named as prime minister.
Other than Hadi, Progressive Democratic Party’s Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu MP) and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party’s Datuk Seri Richard Riot (Serian MP) were retained as special envoys to China and East Asia, respectively. – The Vibes, September 5, 2021
