I don’t entertain rumours, Hisham says on talk of him as next PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has denied talk that a political ploy to make him the next prime minister is in motion.

Responding to an article by The Vibes, the foreign minister took to Twitter to dispel speculation that he is next to take on the top job, with Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as his deputy.

“As the article states, these are rumours, and I don’t entertain rumours.

“We should just concentrate on our #COVID19 response and strengthening our economy.”

As the article states, these are rumours and I don't entertain rumours. We should just concentrate on our #COVID19 response and strengthening our economy. https://t.co/z8HImz4Zdy

— Hishammuddin Hussein ?? (@HishammuddinH2O) June 10, 2021

The Vibes today reported sources as saying Umno MPs are being approached to vouch for Hishammuddin as the candidate for the deputy prime minister’s post.

What has set tongues wagging is that representations are being made to party members that Muhyiddin will step down as prime minister in the months ahead, allowing Hishammuddin to take over as the country’s ninth prime minister.

While many may be able to stomach Hishammuddin as Malaysia’s third prime minister in as many years following the 2018 general election that saw Barisan Nasional defeated for the first time, another scenario could be more difficult for Umno members to accept: Azmin as deputy prime minister.

“Umno MPs may not be ready to accept Azmin,” said a source.

Azmin, seen as one of the key architects of the Pakatan Harapan government’s fall last year, is viewed as a divisive factor.

His handling of the economy as international trade and industry minister during the pandemic has been criticised. However, he does bring with him at least 11 MPs.

Hishammuddin’s hat being thrown in the ring does come as a surprise. Despite his seniority, he does not hold any top post in Umno.

He is not even in the Supreme Council although his grandfather, Dato Sir Onn Jaafar, was a founder of the party, and his father, Tun Hussein Onn, was the country’s third prime minister.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, meanwhile, is a cousin.

It is learnt that party members, as well as several non-Umno leaders, are being told that the Agong has consented to this proposal.

“However, we know this is not accurate, as His Majesty has yet to take a position on this. Moreover, he has not yet finished meeting all political party leaders,” said a high-placed source.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is meeting Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tomorrow.

Meanwhile, PKR said it has been informed about moves by certain lawmakers to get statutory declarations (SDs) from their peers by claiming to have received royal endorsements, which the party labelled as a “disgusting” attempt at a power grab.

Communications chief Fahmi Fadzil said PKR is also made to understand that the parliamentarians involved are soliciting the said SDs by claiming they have received the “blessings” of the Agong.

“As a country that practises the principles of a constitutional monarchy, we believe these claims of receiving the ‘blessings’ of His Majesty are manifestly untrue, and a disgusting attempt at securing positions and profits for a small faction at a time of a national crisis,” said the Lembah Pantai MP. – The Vibes, June 10, 2021