The Malaysian Insider – 2 hours 21 minutes agoRELATED CONTENT
- Putrajaya drift pushing some ministers to seek quick exit
Two Umno ministers have indicated they want out in the next cabinet reshuffle due by June, reflecting their growing exasperation over a perceived drift in government, say party insiders.
At least one minister is in the Putrajaya economics team, which is facing flak over subsidy cuts, further vehicle import concessions and negotiations for an unpopular Pacific Rim trade pact.
"The mood in Putrajaya is glum. At least two ministers want a quick exit from the Najib government," one Umno politician told The Malaysian Insider, referring to party president and prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"The search is on for replacements now but the talent pool is shallow. We have very few capable ministers or politicians," he added.
Najib's economics team now comprises himself as finance minister I, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah as finance minister II, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, economics czar Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar and deputy finance minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan.
Both Ahmad Husni and Abdul Wahid have been keeping a low profile lately after Putrajaya did a U-turn over raising toll rates. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who said the government would instead spend RM400 million to compensate toll concessionaires.
Mustapa and his ministry have been in the news for not ending the Approved Permit (AP) system for vehicles, which raises prices further, and for still talking with Pacific Rim partners to form the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
The prime minister can still add another deputy minister in the Finance Ministry, a slot reserved for MCA, once the senior Barisan Nasional (BN) party decides to overturn its decision not to join the government because of its massive electoral losses last year.
An Umno strategist said MCA's entry would not have a large impact on the Najib government, which is facing a larger perception war due to Hindraf leader P. Waytha Moorthy's shock resignation as deputy minister last week.
"The cabinet seems listless and MCA doesn't look any better, so its entry won't make a difference.
"The government just needs to snap out of this gloom and work hard. They have nothing to lose until the next election," he added.
Critics say the Najib administration has failed to stem rising racial and religious tension in the country, especially in opposition-ruled Penang and Selangor.
Police have promised action but thus far, only opposition leaders have been facing a greater probe, the critics added.
Najib is also facing criticism from his own Umno party, especially the veterans, who believe the prime minister should do more to cut expenses rather than subsidies.
"The government needs a firmer leadership and a better understanding of what is going on in Malaysia. They don't seem to know and sometimes, don't seem to care.
"Maybe that's why they are feeling gloomy. They are clueless and don't know what to do to keep power in Putrajaya" an Umno man said. – February 19, 2014.
