PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has interpreted his UMNO counterpart Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s insinuation for both the Kedah and Perlis Menteri Besar “to be rested” to mean that he is also agreeable for UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi “to be rested” from his Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) post.
The controversial Merlimau state assemblyman was responding to the call by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for Zahid “to be rested” to ensure a free, fair and transparent investigation into his alleged use of statutory declarations (SDs) to deceive former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Tuan Ibrahim who is also the Kubang Kerian MP has contended that it would be “highly impossible for someone to be fully investigated while still holding the DPM post”.
To this, Akmal issued a rebuttal that both Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and his Perlis counterpart Mohd Shukri Ramli should also be rested “as both have pending cases after being charged in court”.
Considering that many of Akmal’s actions have not been reflective of the spirit of the unity government in which UMNO via Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are its key components, it is little wonder that Afnan thinks Akmal has sent a subtle message for Zahid who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister to be rested.
“Apparently, my UMNO Youth chief counterpart has quietly agreed that the UMNO president should be rested from the TPM post. I like your action, my friend 👍” asserted Afnan who is also the Alor Setar MP.
Like Afnan, PAS Youth deputy chief Hanif Jamaluddin is also optimistic that Akmal is smart enough to ascertain the situation.
“His writing has dual meanings which could just be to win the heart of his UMNO president or he actually also agrees that the UMNO president who is also the DPM should go on leave,” opined Hanif who contested against Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari during the six states election in August 2023.
“With his firmness, I’m sure that his writing is directed at the second meaning 🤗”
Meanwhile, former Putrajaya UMNO division deputy head Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz agreed with Tuan Ibrahim that Zahid’s position as the second most powerful person in the country “can result in investigations and prosecutions being disrupted and cannot be carried out fairly and transparently”.
“There has been a precedent. Even having faced 47 prima facie charges of corruption, abuse of power, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering, probably his position as DPM has enabled him to be granted a DNAA (dismissal not amounting to acquittal) and be free to fly here and there,” suggested Tun Faisal.
“The LCS (littoral combat ship) case in which PH promised to charge and jail Zahid has yet to start until now probably because Zahid has already become the DPM.” – Sept 3, 2024
