Hishammuddin as Deputy Prime Minister?

KUALA LUMPUR:Sembrong Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein is said to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister in an effort to strengthen the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government as well as avoid more threats from UMNO, according to a report by The Malaysian Insight today.

Citing a source, the portal said, it is understood that the action, however, would only trigger anger from the UMNO leadership.

According to the report, the dissatisfaction over the decision is most likely as the party's Supreme Working Council (MKT) has already made a decision to review the relationship with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Apart from that, the relationship between the two parties became strained after Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub withdrew his support for the Perikatan Nasional led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"Hisham will be the Deputy Prime Minister as soon as possible," the source told The Malaysian Insight.

Another source, however, informed the portal that the proposal had been made, but had not yet been notified to other components of the Perikatan Nasional.

According to the portal, if Hishammuddin is appointed as the number two in the Federal government, it may cause dissatisfaction of other senior leaders, such as PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who is also the Perikatan Nasional Vice Chairman, and Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Apart from that, some observers think that the action may be self-defeating as Hishammuddin, who is also the Foreign Minister, is seen as not in line with the stance and aspirations of senior UMNO leaders such as president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers MPs Club (BNBBC) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.