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KUALA LUMPUR – There are no hard feelings on the part of Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman despite not being appointed to the cabinet, with the Pasir Salak MP saying the appointees are more qualified than he is.
Although certain quarters expressed disappointment that Pengerang lawmaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan and Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki are not included in the line-up, Tajuddin said positions are limited.
“Positions in the cabinet are limited and we can’t accommodate everyone.
“The prime minister must have done his study on who is the most qualified for the cabinet.
“I am not qualified, and I am not in it, although I worked so hard to push him (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) to where he is,” he told The Vibes.
The Umno man said he nonetheless believes the line-up is good for the party given the strong presence of its members in the government.
He acknowledged, however, that his constituents or the Umno grassroots friendly to him would be happy had he been chosen.
“Of course, the grassroots would support me being given a position. In fact, my constituents in Pasir Salak, too.
“Many in Umno who know me, know that I am loyal to the party and committed to its struggle.”
Noting the complaints on Umno playing second fiddle in the government previously, he said, all the related concerns should be addressed with the cabinet list.
“Umno should be happy because we have so many ministers in the government, and the prime minister is also from the party.
“All this time, people talk about Umno being sidelined or that we don’t have enough roles in the cabinet. We have worked towards changing that.”
Ismail Sabri today announced his cabinet, which largely comprises the same ministers during the administration led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Critics have questioned the omission of a number of Umno members deemed capable, with Azalina being at the top of the list.
Tonight, Umno will hold its first Supreme Council meeting since returning to federal power. – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
