[UPDATED] Now everyone’s a deputy president: Muafakat appoints four

KUALA LUMPUR – Two former ministers, Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin and Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, have been appointed as deputy presidents of the newly established Muafakat Nasional (MN) non-governmental organisation (NGO).

MN president, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, also announced independent preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and former Segamat MP Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar to the same posts, for a total of four deputy presidents in the NGO.

Annuar named them at a press conference today after chairing MN’s supreme council meeting. He said the appointments would ensure the continuity of MN’s previously planned programs.

 “This can also ensure that the NGO will have proper authority and produce positive ideas and contribute towards the development of the nation,”' he said.

Zuraida, Redzuan and Edmund have had a history of party-hopping. 

In the 15th general election last November, Zuraida and Redzuan defended their respective Ampang and Alor Gajah seats but lost, while Edmund withdrew his candidacy for the Segamat seat before polling day.

Ridhuan, meanwhile, was recently axed as a speaker on RTM’s Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam show.

Annuar today also announced that MN will set up chapters at the state, Parliament and state assembly level in all 222 parliamentary seats.

He said this is because there are many people applying to be members nationwide.

Despite MN’s structure resembling a political party, Annuar said MN will remain apolitical, and cited its leadership consisting of members from various parties such as Bersatu, PAS and Pejuang.

“There are already too many political parties in the country. We will remain as an NGO so there is no need to worry,”' he said.

Among other notable members of MN include Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hassan, Bersatu’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin, PAS’ Datuk Zuhdi Marzuki, Umno’s Datuk Budiman Zohdi, composer Datuk Wah Idris and celebrity Jasper Suppayah. – The Vibes, January 7, 2023