KUALA LUMPUR – Former Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil has expressed concern about Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s recent portfolio switch from the Defence Ministry to the Foreign Ministry in the cabinet reshuffle, stating that it has raised eyebrows among party members.
In a recent video interview with Apa Cerita posted on his Facebook page, he also agreed that, as the Umno deputy president and a senior leader in the government, Mohamad’s move to the Foreign Ministry portfolio was a demotion.
“The Foreign Ministry is relatively small, with a limited number of staff working in the ministry and foreign embassies.
“So, why do that to Tok Mat? He was among the four senior ministers of the government who were given police escort service. The others who receive this are the prime minister, deputy prime minister, and home minister,” he claimed.
However, Isham acknowledged that Mohamad is a gentleman and likely accepted his new post graciously.
Mohamad took over the Foreign Ministry from Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, who is now higher education minister.
Isham added that, as a former member of the party and member of the public, he has the responsibility to speak on the matter.
“Not only me, but the entire Umno grassroots are also disappointed and upset about the switch. They feel that there is an agenda at play in the reshuffle,” he added.
In previous governments, Umno leaders have always been given ministerial posts, but now some have also been downgraded to deputy minister positions, Isham said.
“My friend, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, who was the higher education minister in the previous government, was also reappointed to a deputy minister post in the reshuffle,” he added.
On December 6, following the Umno Supreme Council meeting, Isham was expelled from the party.
Isham has been vocal about the party on many occasions, particularly regarding its cooperation with DAP.
The cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday saw all ‘Top 5’ Umno members appointed to the federal government.
Johari, who is Umno vice-president, has returned as the plantation and commodities minister after serving as the second finance minister in the Barisan Nasional administration from 2016 to 2018.
Also in the new cabinet line-up is Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, who has been appointed deputy women, family, and community minister.
Meanwhile, Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman has retained her role as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform). – December 14, 2023