SERI SETIA REP SHAHARUDDIN TO BE NEW SELANGOR MB, AZMIN TO STEP DOWN AS PRESSURE AGAINST HIM TOO STRONG – REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR — PKR vice-president and Seri Setia assemblyman Shaharuddin Badaruddin is touted to be the next Selangor mentri besar candidate, according to a source privy to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Cabinet arrangement.

The former Universiti Selangor academic is the most likely replacement for current Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali who is said to have decided to take up the Economy Affairs Ministry portfolio in the federal government, the source added.

According to the source, pressure from social media users has been too overwhelming against Azmin, who was just recently sworn in for the second term, leading to such a decision.

“He’s stepping down as MB. Seri Setia taking over MB,” the source told Malay Mail last night on condition of anonymity.

Azmin was named economic affairs minister by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday, alongside eight other names for the Cabinet that has been approved by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.

Another PKR leader nominated to Cabinet is Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin for the housing and local government portfolio.

From the DAP are Seremban Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Loke Siew Fook for the transport portfolio, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo for communications and multimedia, and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran to handle human resources.

Parti Amanah Negara is represented by Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad as health minister and Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub as agriculture and agro-based industry minister.

Dr Mahathir who is also chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) picked fellow partyman and Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik as his replacement for the education portfolio.

The prime minister had initially assumed the Education Ministry portfolio, but relinquished the post following public criticism and reminders of the PH pledge. In its election manifesto, the four-party coalition said its prime minister and deputy prime minister would not hold double portfolios, especially that of the finance ministry.

Another PPBM colleague chosen as rural development minister is Setiawangsa MP Rina Harun.

The swearing-in ceremony of the ministers is scheduled to take place 1t 11.30am May 21 before the King at Istana Negara.

Time for MB Azmin to move on to bigger roles, analysts say

KUALA LUMPUR — For Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, the decision to drop his role as Selangor mentri besar after being named a federal minister will prove to be a positive challenge for him, analysts have said.

Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian, said Azmin has been competent and steady-handed in his endeavours in governing Selangor since taking over in 2014, and that it was time for him to move on.

“Azmin is an experienced MB and had already proven himself in Selangor, he seems to have run Selangor well over the past four years.

“It’s time he draw on larger canvas,” he said

Echoing this sentiment was Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Prof Kartini Aboo Talib.

She concurred that the Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman’s move to the federal government would be beneficial for the new administration.

“For Azmin to be moved from state to federal government as economic affairs minister would be a great advantage as he has proven to be a great leader and manager of Selangor state affairs,” she said.

Should he take up the task as a federal minister, he would be sworn into office on Monday.

There was, however, concern if the PKR deputy president were to hold both portfolios that he would not be able to live up to the “reformist agenda” of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact.

“There is worry of how Azmin Ali will hold both Selangor and the key economy minister role,” said Kuasa’s Praba Ganesan.

“It is a huge role considering the reformist agenda Pakatan has.”

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced in a statement nine more names of PH members of Parliament who were appointed as federal ministers, including Mohamed Azmin who is also PKR deputy president.

In response, Azmin said last night he would meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as soon as possible to get further clarification on his appointment as minister of economic affairs, calling the naming as a surprise.

A source also told Malay Mail that Azmin would be letting go his Selangor mentri besar post and will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor soon.

MALAY MAIL