Why Zahid, why Zafrul, asks Rafidah

KUALA LUMPUR – Former international trade minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has questioned the appointment of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to the cabinet, saying it raised questions and could turn out to be a setback for the new unity government.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook, the outspoken retired politician did not name Zahid, but described him as one of two “albatrosses” around Anwar’s neck.

The other albatross is believed to be Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, whom Rafidah also did not name but alluded to when she noted an appointment of one who had lost in the general election and is now being made a senator in order to become a minister.

Of Zahid, she questioned why the need to appoint him as deputy prime minister when he was “someone awaiting (the) outcome of an unbelievably long list” of graft charges, in reference to the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman’s 47 charges.

“Yes, some say one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But if the person is finally found guilty, then you have to get a replacement DPM!

“Why be pressured to appoint (him) now? There is already one DPM in place,” Rafidah said, referring to the other deputy prime minister appointment given to Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Datuk Seri Fadhillah Yusof.

On Tengku Zafrul, Rafidah said his appointment was the “optics of scraping the barrel” as he had been rejected by voters in the general election.

“And now, reappointing the person as a senator in order to make him a minister. Where is the credibility when losers are taken on board?”

She said there were others more suitable to be appointed.

“Those two are totally unnecessary albatrosses around your neck! All I can say is good luck to you. And am sure the rakyat will still pray for you to succeed in helping the nation.”

Nicknamed Malaysia’s Iron Lady in her time as a minister in BN under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first tenure as prime minister, Rafidah, 79, however, did acknowledge the challenge Anwar faced in forming a unity government of former foes.

She said the appointment showed a “good and equitable balance between the older and tested individuals, and the younger generation with potential”.

She urged the new appointments to put the people first and serve with integrity. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022