Published April 13, 2009

MALAYSIA INSIGHT
Najib's traditionalist Cabinet

By keeping Khairy out, and bringing in Mukhriz, new PM draws criticism that he's in thrall of Mahathir

By S JAYASANKARAN
KL CORRESPONDENT
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PRIME Minister Najib Razak unveiled a Cabinet last week that former premier Mahathir Mohamad described as relatively taint-free although the notoriously sardonic Dr Mahathir couldn't resist the throwaway line 'although one or two sneaked in'.

It is encouraging that Mr Najib is cognizant of the economic challenges facing the country amid the on-going global financial crisis by setting up an economic advisory council.

In fairness, Mr Najib dealt from the hand that was given him, having to choose from within his politically dominant United Malays National Organisation and the various component parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. In so doing, Mr Najib demonstrated that he remains a traditionalist because he could have looked elsewhere for choices.

Even so, he refrained from choosing some of the more controversial members of the Cabinet of his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Among others, he dropped Tourism Minister Azalina Othman. Works Minister Mohamad Zin, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar and Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique.

Interestingly, he told editors at a briefing later that he no longer wanted ministers to have billboards of themselves all over the place - a practice that both Ms Azalina and Mr Zulhasnan indulged in.

In Ms Azalina's case, it was particularly egregious with billboards of herself, Mr Abdullah and Mr Najib plastered all over the country in the name of tourism. It is significant that Mr Najib remained silent about the matter throughout his tenure as deputy premier but pointed this out to editors in his very first meeting with them as Prime Minister.



It is encouraging that Mr Najib is cognizant of the economic challenges facing the country amid the on-going global financial crisis. He has announced the setting up of an economic advisory council to be composed of six to eight economic experts and chaired by an eminent person with ministerial status who will report directly to him.

Even then, the premier remained mindful of political sensibilities being careful not to give the chair too much: while he will have ministerial status, he will not be part of the Cabinet. It appears that the new premier is still being very cautious.

The only criticism that some people will have of Mr Najib is the perception that he is in thrall of former premier Mahathir Mohamad. Dr Mahathir had made no secret of the fact that he dislikes Khairy Jamaluddin who, against all odds and amidst enormous public vilification, won the contest for Umno's Youth chief in a three-cornered fight against former Selangor chief minister Khir Toyo and Mukhriz Mahathir, Dr Mahathir's youngest son.

The position of Umno Youth chief carries with it an ex-officio vice-president's post which means Mr Khairy is, technically, fifth in the succession sweepstakes. Yet Mr Najib did not place him in his Cabinet and, to add insult to injury, appointed Mr Mukhriz as a deputy minister for international trade.

Ostensibly, Mr Khairy has been told to concentrate on strengthening the Youth wing and, publicly, he has agreed that the job 'will be a full-time one'. Unofficially, we hear that Mr Khairy is perceived to be so unpopular among the people that his appointment to government could prove a disaster to Mr Najib and Umno going forward.

And this is the same fellow who won the Youth race? Whatever the reasons for Mr Khairy's non-appointment, Mr Mukriz's government position only perpetuates the perception of the new premier vis-a-vis the old one. And, in politics, perception can, very swiftly, become reality.