Hisham leaves behind an unforgettable legacy

The latest transformation in the Ministerial line-up by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also witnessed Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein ending his legacy as the acting Transport Minister.

Hishammuddin’s popularity undeniably soared to greater heights on how has skillfully tackled the tragedy of missing flight MH370.

Pundits observed that his ability in handling the MH370 saga have restored public trust in his leadership – which was criticised during the Lahad Datu crisis in 2013.

For Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political analyst Dr Jeneri Amir, the MH370 crisis has made Hishammuddin a capable leader and is viewed as him correcting his weaknesses during the Lahad Datu intrusion.

“Based on the actions, the statements and his character, Hishammuddin can be given excellent marks," said Jeneri.

“It (MH370) became the highest benchmark in dealing with the crisis.”

Dr Jeneri said the MH370 crisis is an isolated case from the Lahad Datu crisis because the former involves communication skills and the ability to handle the global media.

Even before the MH370 crisis, Hishammuddin had armed himself with the criteria which have enabled him to hold the main portfolios in the government.

At the 2013 UMNO elections, Hishammuddin also managed to sustain the vice president position even after garnering the third vote among the other candidates.

He has strong credibility particularly from the Malay voters.

As the grandson of UMNO founder, Datuk Onn Jaafar and son of the third Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn it places him in a special place particularly among the other members of the party.

However, Hishammuddin has also witnessed during the ‘turbulent’ phase in the Cabinet.

In addition to the allegedly poor handling of the Lahad Datu crisis, Hishammuddin has received criticism from the non-Malays when he waved the ‘keris’ at the UMNO conference in 2005.

Hishammuddin rose to the occasion during the MH370 tragedy. The world saw it too, making him one of the qualified candidates to hold the position of a prime minister, says observers.

After he attended the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Hishammuddin read law at the University Of Wales before he advanced to the London School Of Economics in 1988.

After he graduated, Hishammuddin joined Skrine & Co firm and subsequently became a partner of Lee Hishammuddin.

The 52-year-old Hishamuddin has been a Cabinet member for the past 15 years.