Why Tengku Zafrul?

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 4 Dec 2022 8:48AM · 2 Comments

THE definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result 

The appointment of Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to the cabinet, this time as the international trade and industry, is insanity.

His track record as the finance minister under two prime ministers in the last two years leaves much to be desired.

The people were bewildered by the then finance minister’s explanation on the settlement that the country made with Goldman Sachs in August 2020.

He had claimed claim that the settlement sum was an excellent deal. The New York Post later reported that the CEO of Goldman Sachs had celebrated the settlement with a big party at the same weekend.

He had implied that he had negotiated a better deal by saying that the settlement sum was more than what was sough by the previous attorney-general.

At one point, the Malaysian government was seeking US$7.5 billion from the bank over the 1MDB scandal.

Instead, Goldman Sachs announced that it would pay Malaysia US$2.5 billion in cash and guarantee $1.4 billion more from the sale of 1MDB assets that have been seized.

In September, Anwar Ibrahim himself said he couldn’t be bothered to ask Zafrul questions in parliament because he didn’t think Zafrul’s answers, which were usually in defence of the banks, were worthy of a finance minister.

In the run-up to the general election, Anwar said on the campaign trail that Zafrul was not fit to be an MP after the caretaker minister called the depreciation of the ringgit “normal”. 

And the people of Kuala Selangor concurred with Anwar when they voted for Zafrul’s opponent from Amanah, denying him a seat in  parliament.

The people are extremely disappointed in Anwar for appointing Zafrul to his cabinet.

It is an insult to the people of Kuala Selangor that the MP they voted for, Dzukifli Ahmad was left out of Anwar’s cabinet while the candidate they rejected is now going to be made a senator and a member of the cabinet with an important portfolio.

Can Anwar assure the people that this time round, Zafrul would be thinking of the people and not the businesses?

Anwar, you have failed the people who voted for you and your coalition even before your government commenced work.

You have eroded your own credibility. – December 3, 2022.

* FLK reads the Malaysian Insight.

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Comments

  • It is clear there were conditions in order to proceed to form the government of the day.Simple as that.

    Posted 1 year ago by Hock Tan · Reply

  • FLK, I wish you would stop looking at things so superficially while stroking the flames of dissension. Even though I would not have chose TZ if I am to make the decision, neither would you. I am sure neither would PMX. But things spiralled nearly out of control with powers at play that was not anticipated. Compromises had to be made to move ahead. Look at the sacrifice of DAP to make this government work and move ahead. Does not that serve to tell you that powerful forces are at play here and DAP is willing to even forego being in the cabinet if that can ensure DSAI becomes PMX. But here you are, expressing your personal dissatisfaction publicly knowing that many read your articles and that you consciously promote dissatisfaction toward this govt perhaps hoping that it will be brought down. Or perhaps would you rather PN and the Talibans take charge? Thanks but no thanks!!

    Posted 1 year ago by Brave Malaysian · Reply