DPM: Give Bashah time to prove skills

BEIJING: Let’s give Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah 100 days to prove his abilities, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

Commenting on the criticisms against the new Kedah Mentri Besar, the Deputy Prime Minister said a politician should not be judged solely on the fact that he has only secondary school qualifications.

“His other positive attributes have to be taken into consideration as well.

“Ahmad Bashah has served as a state executive councillor and a deputy minister and he has experience at both state and federal levels. Don’t forget that he has been in politics for more than 35 years,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said.

He added that Ahmad Bashah should be given the chance to demonstrate his ability to manage Kedah.

“Because of his good ties with the Federal Government, perhaps extra allocations that were not budgeted for can be given (to Kedah).

“Maybe I can also ask the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) to help develop Kedah,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said.

In Petaling Jaya, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein called on party members to unite now that the Kedah political crisis is over.

The Defence Minister congratulated Ahmad Bashah in a statement on Facebook and also thanked former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir for his work in the state.

“Surely the Kedah people will put their high hopes on Ahmad Bashah and I am confident that with the support of people and his experience in politics, he will lead Kedah well.

“To Mukhriz, I see him as a young leader with a big heart who was forced to go through the long and challenging twists of politics. I hope he will not give up. Thanks for his dedication and excellent service in Kedah,” he said.

In Hulu Selangor, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said Mukhriz had to step down as “politics is a game of numbers. When you don’t have the numbers, your days are numbered.”

He said he did not want to belittle Mukhriz and instead sympathised with his friend and as a fellow young leader.