Hishammuddin as DPM: Perikatan’s best bet or imminent bad beat?

KUALA LUMPUR – Amid the brouhaha surrounding the nation’s top political leaders’ audiences with the king, a motion is said to be gathering pace, purportedly to name Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as deputy prime minister. 
 
While this remains speculation for now, a larger question has surfaced on whether the purported move is meant to benefit the ruling coalition and Bersatu to ensure it remains in federal power come the 15th general election (GE15). 
 
From Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) standpoint, naming the foreign minister as deputy premier – who would then succeed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the coming months, if rumours are to be believed – would make perfect sense if the coalition is looking to secure Umno’s support. 
 
Umno, the oldest and largest political party in the country, has consistently said it will withdraw its backing for the government once Parliament is dissolved. 
 
Giving the deputy premiership to Umno would surely then, in PN’s eyes, convince the party to maintain the status quo. 

But to what extent will appointing Hishammuddin as Muhyiddin’s No. 2 appease Umno and persuade it to remain in the government as the country inches towards GE15?

Not so much, according to political observers. 

Zahid unlikely to bless appointment
 
They told The Vibes that, considering the current dynamics of Umno’s internal politics, such a move could backfire spectacularly.
 
National Council of Professors senior fellow Prof Jeniri Amir said, by convention, the party leadership should be the one to decide who gets a senior position in the government, particularly one so close to the prime ministership. 
 
The fact that Hishammuddin is from a different Umno faction from its president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and the fact that he does not hold any party post could also dissatisfy many within the political outfit. 

 “Umno should be the one nominating, not Muhyiddin or Bersatu or anybody else. 
 
“Many within the party will not be happy if this is true. Do not force something down Umno’s throat according to your whims and fancy,” Jeniri said. 

“What this will do is create further friction within Umno and cause more political instability to the country. There will be another huge crisis.
 
“The premise is simple: Umno has to be given the right to choose who will be the prime minister candidate, in this case, the deputy premiership who will supposedly take over the top post soon.” 
 
The only scenario that would appease both parties is if Bersatu and Muhyiddin allow Umno to pick its own candidate and that no appointment should be done without the party’s consent, Jeniri said. 
 
Last Thursday, The Vibes had quoted sources as saying that Umno MPs are being approached to vouch for Hishammuddin as the candidate for deputy prime minister, and that representations are being made to Umno members that he will take over from Muhyiddin in the months ahead.

In response, the Sembrong MP said he would not entertain rumours but certain quarters within Umno are already attempting to incite party members to go against Hishammuddin. 

Yesterday, a fake letter – supposedly of Hishammuddin’s sacking from Umno – made the rounds, although the party was quick to deny it. 
 
The Vibes is made to understand by people familiar with the matter that there is a concerted effort to tarnish Hishammuddin’s name within the party.

Azmin as future DPM? That’s up to Bersatu
 
On rumoured plans to name International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as deputy prime minister once Hishammuddin takes over the top post, Jeniri said this should be up to Bersatu to decide. 
 
On whether Umno would be agreeable to such an arrangement, he said there may be protests from some quarters within the party, but any decision by Bersatu should be respected, similar to how Umno should also be able to nominate its own candidate. 
 
“If the rumours are true, then the possible reason Azmin is being considered for deputy prime minister is because he holds a senior position in the cabinet, besides being a Bersatu supreme council member.”
 
Azmin was also appointed PN election director in November, indicating the trust Muhyiddin has for the former PKR man, who is seen as a central figure in Pakatan Harapan’s collapse and formation of the new government last year. 
 
Regardless, Jeniri said this does not guarantee Azmin will have the opportunity to be prime minister in the future as this would still depend on which party enjoys the most number of parliamentary seats and whether he commands the support of the majority. 
 
Jeniri, however, pointed out that naming Azmin as the government’s future No. 2 would be a foolish move on Muhyiddin’s part, considering his poor approval rating among the rakyat. 
 
“Azmin will be a laughing stock; no one will agree to this. A lot of studies and surveys have been conducted showing he is not well-liked,” he said, adding the move risked driving voters away.

Hishammuddin’s ability to garner MPs’ support doubtful
 
Echoing Jeniri’s sentiment, Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Prof Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said appointing Hishammuddin without the blessing of Umno’s top leadership could lead to a political crisis. 
 
He said while he understood the intention of Bersatu, which requires Umno’s support to have any chance of winning the next election, the latter should have the prerogative to name its own candidate. 

Azizuddin said this arrangement would also make little sense for the ruling coalition as it remains uncertain if Hishammuddin would be able to garner enough parliamentary support required to become prime minister. 
 
He pointed out that, even if Zahid were to give the nod, there is no guarantee others in the party, PN or the opposition will support the former Umno vice-president. 
 
“Yes, he can persuade MPs to back him (as future prime minister), but I don’t think many will. 
 
“Rumours are circulating that certain lawmakers are moving to get statutory declarations (SD), but the veracity of this is still unclear.” 

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil had said on Thursday that several MPs without party positions are attempting to gain high positions in the government by claiming to have received royal endorsement. 
 
Azizuddin said another stumbling block to Hishamuddin being named prime minister-in-waiting is grassroots sentiment. 
 
“Can they accept Hishammuddin to represent Umno when he doesn’t even hold any post in the party? 
 
“By right, other than Zahid (who is facing corruption charges) and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (who is not an MP), the most qualified person and next-in-line should be (Senior Minister) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is Umno vice-president,” he said. – The Vibes, June 12, 2021