[UPDATED] Zahid taints chances of Anwar being best PM: Bersatu Youth chief

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration will be perceived negatively as long as his deputy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is part of the government.

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said this during his policy speech at the party wing’s annual assembly here today, claiming that Zahid and his party Umno are a burden to Anwar.

“(Anwar) may be the best prime minister, but Zahid and Umno will always be a liability,” he said to rousing cheers from nearly 500 delegates.

Anwar’s decision to appoint Zahid as deputy prime minister received much criticism as the latter is currently facing 47 corruption charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

However, Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar had said Zahid should be given a fair chance to be tried by an independent and impartial court.

He also noted that since coming to power, there has not been any instances of graft or power abuse among his line-up of leaders, which comprises members of various parties and coalitions.

Meanwhile, Wan Fayhsal pointed to strange bedfellows Barisan Nasional linchpin Umno and PH component DAP in the unity government as part of the reason why Malay politics is in an “age of decline”.

“The unholy alliance between Umno and DAP is the biggest hypocritical betrayal in the history of Malay politics.

“For the Malays, Umno has lost its moral compass, political relevancy and its mission by working with DAP.

“We (Bersatu) have replaced Umno as the main Malay party,” he said, claiming that only opposition MPs are “brave enough” to defend Malay issues in Parliament.

The mood at the party wing’s general assembly appeared to be sombre and without much fanfare as its president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was yesterday charged with four counts of power abuse relating to RM232.5 million and two charges of money laundering involving RM195 million linked to his alleged role in the Jana Wibawa initiative and other matters.

Throughout Wan Fayhsal’s speech, however, delegates chanted slogans calling for Anwar’s downfall and “justice” for Muhyiddin. – The Vibes, March 11, 2023