Why Zahid? why Zafrul? asks Rafidah

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – Former international trade minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has questioned the appointment of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to the cabinet, saying it raised questions and could turn out to be a setback for the new unity government.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook, the outspoken retired politician did not name Zahid, but described him as one of two “albatrosses” around Anwar’s neck.

The other albatross is believed to be Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, whom Rafidah also did not name but alluded to when she noted an appointment of one who had lost in the general election and is now being made a senator in order to become a minister.

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Anwar defends move to appoint Zahid as DPM

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s appointment as deputy prime minister, stating that he could not dismiss the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman’s importance in the unity government that he leads.

Zahid has been charged with 47 counts of corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering.

Last Friday, he was named as one of two deputy prime ministers in the 28-member Cabinet.

Netizens instantly took to social media to voice their disapproval at the former deputy prime minister’s reappointment to the second most powerful position in the government, with anti-graft campaigners and opposition politicians quickly following suit.

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