Hasni’s handling of MB issue will raise his standing, says analyst

 

An analyst says Hasni Mohammad handled the Johor menteri besar issue in a ‘very dignified’ manner.

PETALING JAYA: Former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad’s handling of the appointment of his successor will raise his standing among the Malay community, a political analyst said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said the Benut assemblyman handled the situation in a “very dignified” manner.

“In a way, it presents Umno with a chance … if Onn Hafiz performs well, then it reflects well on Umno,” he told FMT, referring to Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the grandson of former prime minister Hussein Onn, who was sworn in as the 19th Johor menteri besar yesterday.

On Monday, Hasni had asked party leaders to choose a “younger person” to lead the state following Barisan Nasional’s thumping win in the March 12 state elections.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.

BN secured 40 seats in the 56-member Johor state assembly.

BN had announced before the elections that Hasni was its menteri besar candidate.

Fauzi said Umno had to adapt to the situation in Johor, and it would be unbecoming to go against the sultan.

He said that even if Hasni enjoyed the support of the assemblymen, going against the sultan could be construed as offending “the most important Malay institution”.

“It will be difficult to administer the state smoothly, especially when you take into account that the sultan of Johor is next in line to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said, adding this was the “bigger picture”.

Fauzi believed that Umno was keeping this in mind with an eye on the next general election.

“I don’t think they will push the issue (on Onn Hafiz’s appointment) and just accept it for now,” he said.

Oh Ei Sun.

However, Hasni can still hold the reins of Umno in Johor, he said.

“That is one way for Umno to keep Onn Hafiz in check. So, there is that check and balance.”

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said while Onn Hafiz’s appointment as menteri besar would initially look “bad” on Umno, voters would overlook this if he brought about fresh policies to revamp Johor.

And, like Fauzi, Oh said Umno could not do anything else about the matter.

“It’s a no-win issue for Umno. It won’t reflect well on them in terms of Malay culture,” he said. - FMT