Azmin as PN sec-gen not likely to attract non-Malay support, says analyst

Azmin Ali has taken over the PN secretary-general role from Hamzah Zainudin, who is now the coalition’s deputy chairman.

PETALING JAYA: 

Azmin Ali’s appointment as Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general is unlikely to significantly attract non-Malay support, despite his former role as a leader in the multiracial PKR, an analyst says.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said while Azmin once served as deputy president of PKR, a party with multiracial ideals, he was not as revered by members compared to its president, Anwar Ibrahim.

“Therefore, it will be difficult for him to attract non-Malay support for PN,” he told FMT.

Tawfik went on to say that PN needed leaders who had a broader appeal and had a more moderate approach.

“Non-Malay leaders should be given prominent positions within PN,” Tawfik told FMT.

He was commenting on PN’s strategy in appointing Azmin to replace Hamzah Zainudin, who now serves as the coalition’s deputy chairman.

Tawfik suggested that Azmin was appointed to the post as a reward for his role in securing the support of several PKR MPs in the “Sheraton Move” which subsequently saw Muhyiddin Yassin, the PN chairman, named the eighth prime minister.

Tawfik also said Azmin was not likely to attract former PKR members to back PN, hindering efforts to bolster support for the coalition ahead of the 16th general election.

“Perhaps only his loyalists in PKR, who feel sidelined after failing to secure positions in the government or government-linked companies, might follow him.”

However, Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Azmin’s appointment was more of a strategic move to win over urban Malay and non-Malay voters, citing his experience managing a developed state like Selangor from 2014 to 2018.

“This is his selling point, which PN may hope to leverage on, especially given the perception that the country is struggling economically.

“PAS might feel uneasy about this decision but may have to concede as it lacks the same appeal among urban voters,” Azmil added.

Yesterday, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said his party has accepted Azmin’s appointment despite an earlier proposal for the role to be given to its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan.

Previously, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden had suggested that Takiyuddin, with his experience and seniority, would be a suitable candidate to take over the PN secretary-general’s post from Hamzah.

Takiyuddin, who is also the Kota Bharu MP, is PN’s chief whip. - FMT