Time for MB Azmin to move on to bigger roles, analysts say

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — For Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, the decision to drop his role as Selangor mentri besar after being named a federal minister will prove to be a positive challenge for him, analysts have said.

Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian, said Azmin has been competent and steady-handed in his endeavours in governing Selangor since taking over in 2014, and that it was time for him to move on.

“Azmin is an experienced MB and had already proven himself in Selangor, he seems to have run Selangor well over the past four years.

“It’s time he draw on larger canvas,” he said

Echoing this sentiment was Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Prof Kartini Aboo Talib.

She concurred that the Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman’s move to the federal government would be beneficial for the new administration.

“For Azmin to be moved from state to federal government as economic affairs minister would be a great advantage as he has proven to be a great leader and manager of Selangor state affairs,” she said.   

Should he take up the task as a federal minister, he would be sworn into office on Monday.

There was, however, concern if the PKR deputy president were to hold both portfolios that he would not be able to live up to the “reformist agenda” of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact.

“There is worry of how Azmin Ali will hold both Selangor and the key economy minister role,” said Kuasa’s Praba Ganesan.

“It is a huge role considering the reformist agenda Pakatan has.”

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced in a statement nine more names of PH members of Parliament who were appointed as federal ministers, including Mohamed Azmin who is also PKR deputy president.

In response, Azmin said last night he would meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as soon as possible to get further clarification on his appointment as minister of economic affairs, calling the naming as a surprise.

A source also told Malay Mail that Azmin would be letting go his Selangor mentri besar post and will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor soon.