Ex-senator's wish: Dzulkefly non-partisan, PM re-appoints him health minister

Former Umno senator Khairul Azwan Harun believes that Dzulkefly Ahmad could have outperformed his predecessors if he had a longer stint as health minister.

Therefore, he wished that the Amanah central executive committee member was non-partisan and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin would re-appoint him to the post.

Azwan had expressed his thoughts in a Twitter post this evening.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, the former senator reiterated that the key factor is if Dzulkefly was non-partisan.

“Meaning he is a technocrat. I believe the Health Ministry is best headed by a qualified person. The present challenges related to health are mind-boggling.

“To address those challenges, it must be above partisanship and identity politics,” he added in reference to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Asked how he would rate Dzulkefly's performance during his tenure, Azwan (photo), who described the former minister as hardworking and adept at troubleshooting, said he would give him “four stars.”

“I think if he had a longer time, maybe he could perform way better than previous ministers.

“But sadly he chose to follow his problematic party leaders like Mat Sabu (Amanah president Mohamad Sabu), (deputy president) Salahuddin Ayub, (communications director) Khalid Samad and (vice-president) Mujahid (Yusof) Rawa,” he added.

Dzulkefly had to vacate his post following the collapse of the 21-month-old Pakatan Harapan government last week.

The minister had won much praise for his effective handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.

Previously, Miri MP Dr Micheal Teo Yu Keng also urged Muhyiddin to reappoint the Amanah leader as the health minister.

Borneo Post quoted the PKR MP as stating that Dzulkefly, who holds a PhD in toxicology, was instrumental in providing much-needed leadership to Malaysia in its early response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“At this critical time, the people will not forgive us if the epidemic snowballs out of control into a massive disaster for the nation while we play political musical chairs,” he said.

Teo, who is a gynecologist, said it would be more pragmatic for Dzulkefly and his team to continue to handle the crisis.

“Under his stewardship, Malaysia so far has only a handful of coronavirus cases and the majority are cured and discharged. There is no mortality,” he added. - Mkini