You, too, have 100 days to prove yourself, Zaid tells PM

 

Zaid Ibrahim also called on incoming health minister Khairy Jamaluddin to be bold in dealing with those who refuse to be vaccinated.

PETALING JAYA: Similar to the countdown imposed on his own Cabinet, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been told that he, too, has 100 days to prove himself.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said Ismail must show himself to be more effective at his job than his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin, adding that the Umno vice-president should not be concerned about his popularity.

“The prime minister has told his ministers that they have 100 days to make themselves useful. I will say the same thing to the prime minister.

“He must be able to reduce Covid-19 cases to an acceptable level. If that requires him to change his ministers every 100 days, so be it,” he said in a Facebook post.

He welcomed the appointment of Khairy Jamaluddin as health minister, calling on the Rembau MP to be bold in “dealing” with those who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and over the contract doctor issue too.

“The issue of contract doctors must be dealt with swiftly to ensure Malaysians are receiving the best service possible.

“Our doctors and nurses must be happy. They work tirelessly and for this, they must be amply compensated. Don’t let the situation in the US surface in this country,” he said.

The former Kota Bharu MP also hoped that Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who retained his post as finance minister, would ensure aid measures were channeled to those in need without bureaucracy hindering them.

He cited the case of many law firms and professional service providers having to go through a lot of paperwork when applying for aid from the government or banks.

“On the other hand, in countries like Singapore, the government is more direct and prompt in their delivery of aid,” he said.

He spoke less kindly of education minister Radzi Jidin, saying he would have preferred Maszlee Malik to be reappointed to the portfolio.

“But Maszlee unfortunately is not in Bersatu. Still, the prime minister or education minister will be wise to call Maszlee for a chat on what more can be done in the field of education.”

Meanwhile, in a dig at Zuraida Kamaruddin, he advised Ismail to “keep a watchful eye” on her and to remind her that she was not being paid by Malaysian taxpayers to go to Afghanistan and teach the Taliban anything.

“A lot more can be done for women here in Malaysia. Just the other day, my friend brought his 17-year-old daughter to an immigration office in Selangor. The girl was wearing a sleeveless dress.

“A female officer stopped her from going in to renew her passport, telling her in a harsh tone that there were men in the office. She had to go and get her father’s jacket to cover her arms before being served.

“Maybe Zuraida can visit this immigration office before going to see the Taliban,” he quipped. - FMT