KUALA LUMPUR – Ketereh Umno division chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa has called for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to elect his cabinet members based on hierarchical ranks in the Barisan Nasional (BN) linchpin.
In a Facebook post today, the party veteran said that it would be “wise” for Umno representatives in the cabinet to be appointed according to party “hierarchical priority” and with the approval of party leaders.
“What is important is that the prime minister has a functioning team that is solid and authoritative. The people are waiting for a decision that is good for everyone. They have been waiting for a long time,” he added.
Additionally, he cautioned against taking Umno “for granted” and accepting them “in halves”.
“The Umno Supreme Council’s decision to join the unity government should be respected, not just by party members but also by (Anwar) who is leading the administration.”
Annuar’s assertion comes amidst speculation that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi might be appointed to a senior ministerial position, particularly the deputy prime minister post.
This is supposedly part of a larger strategy to strengthen his position in Umno prior to its internal elections which should be taking place latest by May next year.
Zahid, who is facing corruption charges, is also BN chairman. BN is one of the coalitions backing Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader Anwar’s unity administration following the 15th general election (GE15) resulting in no single coalition securing the necessary majority to form a government.
Previously, Annuar had led a group of Umno division leaders who demanded Zahid to resign from his presidency following BN’s “humiliating defeat” during GE15, which saw the party securing only 27 seats.
Annuar, who is former Ketereh MP but was dropped from contesting in GE15, had also objected to BN combining forces with PH to establish a unity government, claiming that the majority of Umno would “rather be on the opposition bench than crawl to their opponents and beg to sit in the government”.
On November 29, Annuar had urged all quarters to stop questioning Anwar’s legitimacy as prime minister, stating that now is the time for all stakeholders to focus on their duties to serve the people and country.
Anwar has since said that the announcement of his cabinet is “taking some time” as he needs to take into account the views of various parties under his unity government, but assured that a line-up will be presented “as soon as possible”. – The Vibes, December 1, 2022
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