Khalid Samad defends Anwar, says Malays need not fear Yeoh appointment

 

AMANAH communications director Khalid Abdul Samad has urged Malays not to feel threatened by DAP’s Hannah Yeoh’s appointment as Federal Territories Minister.

He emphasised that the role is fully constrained by administrative structures and laws under the Prime Minister’s direct control.

Khalid explained that the position no longer operates as an independent ministry as in the past but falls under the Prime Minister’s Department, placing the minister under close supervision and preventing unilateral actions.

“Now, the Federal Territories Minister falls under the Prime Minister’s Department. In terms of structure, this minister is under the control and monitoring of the prime minister.

“So, there is no issue of her being able to act arbitrarily,” he said in Bicara Haji Khalid Samad Series 279 titled Kabinet Madani and PRU-16.

He stressed that a minister’s effectiveness lies in developing ideas and implementing policies to advance the Federal Territories in line with government direction, rather than ethnic background.

Khalid dismissed racial fear narratives as baseless distractions from genuine development priorities, noting Kuala Lumpur’s progress follows structured planning toward international city status.

He argued that ethnicity does not guarantee better policies, citing potential privatisation risks even under Malay leadership, and highlighted that any minister remains bound by legal and procedural frameworks.

The reassurance comes amid criticisms from opposition figures and Malay groups concerned over perceived power imbalances and impacts on urban bumiputra communities following Yeoh’s appointment.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan criticised the appointments of Yeoh and Lo Su Fui to the Federal Territories Ministry, alongside retaining Nga Kor Ming in Housing and Local Government, as creating ethnic imbalance and power centralisation driven by political bargaining rather than merit.

Malay groups echoed concerns that non-Malay leadership could erode urban  bumiputra presence, linking it to past opposition against the Urban Renewal Act, seen as displacing low-income residents.

UMNO’s Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki warned against ignoring public sentiment over “two Chinese” appointees, questioning impacts on urban bumiputra and the potential revival of local government elections – opposed by UMNO but supported by DAP.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rebuked Takiyuddin for racialising the issue but stayed silent on similar UMNO concerns, highlighting tensions over urban portfolio distribution. —  Focus Malaysia