Unlikely for Zahid to become PM, says Umno source

 

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi fuelled speculation recently when he said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will decide who will be the next prime minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: It is unlikely that Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will become the prime minister, a high-level Umno leader said.

The source said this was because of his corruption trial and the awkward situation if his name was put forward to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consideration.

BN’s rivals have been claiming that a victory for the coalition in the general election could see Zahid being appointed the prime minister, despite the fact that Ismail Sabri Yaakob is BN’s prime ministerial candidate.

Several senior BN leaders, including Zahid himself, have repeatedly stressed that Ismail was the coalition’s only candidate for the job.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

However, the source said Zahid’s recent remark that the King would decide who would become the prime minister had fuelled speculation he was in the running for the post.

“To be honest, it is taking a toll on us. Zahid has done well to lead the party after GE14 but he still has his court case and he is not exactly a popular figure within and outside BN,” said the source, who declined to be named.

Zahid is standing trial on 47 counts of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions of ringgit from Yayasan Akalbudi and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister.

“The reality is that voters are spooked at the thought that Zahid could become the prime minister,” the source said, adding that there were concerns this could affect BN’s chances of winning as many seats as it hoped for on Saturday.

“In any case, I think it would be difficult, unlikely even, for Zahid to be appointed the prime minister because of his corruption trial. It would put the palace in an awkward position to even consider his name because of this.”

At the same time, the source said, the prime minister must be someone who could be accepted by BN’s allies.

“It won’t just be up to BN on who becomes the prime minister, but the likes of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and perhaps even PAS.

“It’s not something that can be forced through, otherwise there won’t be political stability. It has to be someone who is acceptable to everyone.”

The source said this was because BN was unlikely to be able to form the government on its own. - FMT