THE appointments of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz are two major concerns in Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet, Rafidah Aziz said today.

The retired politician said Anwar had punctured people’s expectations of a cabinet of integrity and honesty with the appointment of ministers with pending court cases and who had lost in the general election.

These appointments, the former cabinet member said, were “quite jarring, unnecessary, and raises so many questions”.

While she did not give names, it was clear that she was referring to Barisan Nasional chairman Zahid Hamidi, who was named deputy prime minister, and former finance minister Tengku Zafrul, who was assigned to the portfolio of international trade and industry.

Umno’s Tengku Zafrul, a senator and senior member of the last two governments, lost to PH’s Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. 

Other defeated election candidates in the new cabinet line-up include BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir, who is foreign minister, and PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is home minister.

“Why the need to appoint, as deputy prime minister no less, someone waiting for the outcome of an unbelievably long list of cases of corruption? Rafidah said in a statement today.

“Yes, some may say, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But if that person is finally found guilty, then you have to get a replacement DPM.

“Why be pressured to appoint now? There is already one other DPM in place.”

She said by appointment ministers who had been rejected by voters, Anwar appeared to be “scraping the barrel”.

“Where is the credibility when losers are taken on board? There are others, perhaps more suitable, for you to appoint.

“Anyway, those are two unnecessary albatrosses around your neck. All I can say is good luck to you. I am sure the rakyat will still pray for you to succeed in helming the nation,” she said.

She said she hoped Anwar would justify the trust that Malaysians had in him and his government.

She said the cabinet was generally equitable and credible with a good balance. – December 3, 2022.