Zahid says being Najib’s deputy is history repeating itself

KUALA LUMPUR — Working with Prime Minister Najib Razak as his deputy is like history repeating itself, said Mr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of his rise to the number two post in Malaysia’s leadership.

Utusan Malaysia reported Mr Zahid, 62, as saying that he had not expected to be appointed to the second highest post in government and promised to give his best in serving the country.

“This appointment is like history repeating itself for the prime minister and me. When he was youth and sports minister, I was appointed by him as a political secretary and followed him when he became defence minister.

“This is an unexpected turn in politics but Allah has willed it to happen this way, so I accept it as my fate and I plead with my friends in Cabinet, UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) supreme council, division and wing leaders as well as Barisan Nasional leadership to extend their support to the prime minister,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference held after Mr Najib announced the cabinet reshuffle in Putrajaya yesterday (July 29).

Mr Zahid replaces Mr Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been critical of the prime minister’s handling of the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad’s RM42 billion (S$15.04 billion) debts.

Mr Zahid remains as Home Minister while Muhyiddin’s former education portfolio was taken up by former energy, green technology and water deputy minister Mr Mahdzir Khalid.

The deputy prime minister was reported as saying by the UMNO-owned daily that the trust given to him by Mr Najib was not a reward but it was a heavy responsibility that “has to be borne for the country, Malays and other races in Malaysia”.

Mr Zahid said he understood that the prime minister was heavy-hearted in making the decision but had done so on the basis of forging a strong and united cabinet. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER