Salahuddin views appointment as sign of Najib's exit plan

A Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leader has gone to the extent of interpreting Hishammuddin Hussein's new appointment as a sign that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will step down soon.

“Hishammuddin's appointment as special functions minister is a sign that Najib will step down as prime minister soon and Hishammuddin will take over as PM to ensure continuity and Umno's lifeline in the coming general election,” Salahuddin Ayub tweeted.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Salahuddin, who is Amanah deputy president, said he would not be surprised even if Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suffered the same fate as his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin.

“It would not come as a shock, for the survival of Najib and Umno, he (Zahid) may suffer a similar fate,” he added.

On the same note, Salahuddin also wondered if Hishamuddin's “special functions” included clearing the 1MDB issue, which continues to plague Najib.

“Najib can only trust Hishammuddin,” he said, referring to the fact that the two are cousins.

This afternoon, Najib announced that Hishammuddin has been appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of special functions with immediate effect.

Hishammuddin, who is also an Umno vice-president, would retain his defence minister post as well.

Earlier, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli interpreted the appointment as a direct endorsement from Najib and claimed that it does not bode well for Zahid.

Zahid assumed the deputy prime minister's post after Najib dropped Muhyiddin from the cabinet in July, 2015 over the latter's critical stand on 1MDB.- Mkini