PUTRAJAYA – PKR’s international bureau chairman Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md. Akin has been appointed as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s chief political secretary.
Confirming the matter with The Vibes, Shamsul – who is the former Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentarian – said he was appointed to the role on December 1.
With the appointment, Shamsul noted that it would be a daunting task to implement the people’s agenda for the new administration.
“We have a lot of challenges including ensuring political stability,” he said when contacted today.
“People have high expectations of this government and so we have to work hard as a team and support the PM’s leadership because his appointment as prime minister comes at the right time.”
Anwar’s confidence vote
Shamsul said December 19 is an important day for Malaysia’s democracy as Anwar is expected to face a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat.
However, Shamsul said the move to table the motion of confidence in Parliament reflected Anwar’s courage to lead the country with a clear mandate.
“It will be a historic day, the first time ever in Malaysian political history that a prime minister is showing that he has the courage to face it (in Parliament),” he said, adding that the vote was “unnecessary” in the first place as Anwar had already received majority support.
“Anwar is very courageous to do that (motion of confidence) in order for him to focus on the people’s welfare agenda and strengthening the country’s economy.
“He doesn’t need to since he is already the Prime Minister but he wants to get the full mandate to move the country in the right direction,” he said.
Expressing optimism ahead of December 19, Shamsul said that party leaders have given their assurance of support to Anwar.
“We will have the confidence vote this coming Monday, I am optimistic about it.
“From day one since the PM was appointed, the focus has always been on the people, like for example yesterday when the cabinet made the decision on the electricity tariff. I can assure you that there will be more to come for the people.
“Let’s settle this first politically, navigate that, and then, we can focus on economic welfare and social aspects, and the rest.”
Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said an agreement signing ceremony between leaders of various parties to support the formation of a federal unity government will be held tomorrow,
Fadillah, who is also chief whip of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said the agreement will be signed by party leaders who agree to work with Pakatan Harapan to form a unity government. – The Vibes, December 15, 2022
