Two ex-MPs join PM as political secretaries

Two former PKR lawmakers - Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and Chan Ming Kai - have been appointed as political secretaries to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Shamsul (above) has been given the title of chief political secretary.

Speaking to The Vibes, Shamsul said he has a daunting task ahead because he would be expected to help the prime minister implement policies.

"People have high expectations of this government and so we have to work hard as a team and support the prime minister's leadership," Shamsul said.

Shamsul, 47, was a lawyer and two-term MP. His political career had seen the party fielding him as a candidate in three different states.

His appointment does not come as a surprise because he was known to be an Anwar loyalist for two decades.

During the Nov 19 election, he was fielded as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat and came very close to unseating incumbent Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

His and Chan's appointments took effect on Dec 1.

Chan wrote about his appointment on his Facebook page last night and described his job as a "new challenge".

Chan Ming Kai

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Chan said his job was to assist the prime minister in whatever way necessary.

"I will report what is truly happening on the ground," said Chan in a brief response to Malaysiakini.

Since 2008, Chan has been a PKR lawmaker in three different states. However, he was not fielded for the Nov 19 elections. - FMT