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Friday, May 8, 2015

The rising star that is Ahmad Maslan

The absence of the Second Finance Minister could mean a new one is on the way.
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ahmad maslan star
If there had been no 1MDB scandal and if there had been no GST, Ahmad Maslan might have been just one of those names occupying some vague corner in the Malaysian consciousness. After all, who would want to keep track of everyone in the vast Putrajaya bureaucracy? Moreover, he is only a deputy in the Finance Ministry, which has two ministers – Najib Abdul Razak and Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.
Wait a minute. Ahmad Husni who? Ah, yes, the man who once came out in stout defence of 1MDB. But that was in April, a lifetime ago in the fast-changing world of politics. Where is he? What’s happened to him? Considering that we’re talking about the Second Finance Minister, and given that the public is currently in a state of unrest over the 1MDB fiasco and the GST, you’d think he would figure prominently in the news.
Perhaps it was his failure to turn the tide of public opinion on 1MDB that has led to his current silence. Maybe even he has changed his mind on the issue. Whatever it may be, Husni seems to have excused himself from the world of politics for the moment.
But in the absence of one major figure to defend the Najib administration, another must take his place. And that’s where Ahmad Maslan comes in.
Ahmad is not a popular figure with Malaysians. His many gaffes have provoked sneers, criticism and ridicule, but he has one thing that Najib prizes, and that is loyalty. Despite the brickbats, he continues to speak in defence of the GST, driving some people mad with exasperation.
Ahmad seems to have taken the position of de facto Second Finance Minister, his statements and visage constantly plastered across newspapers and news sites. Malaysians far and wide know his name, although maybe not for reasons he would appreciate. His rise to prominence has been phenomenal, considering that we would have been hard pressed to identify him just months ago. He seems to be the Najib administration’s final word on matters regarding the GST, which lends credence to a rumour that he may soon ascend to a higher position.
In many ways, Ahmad may be the perfect spokesman for the Finance Ministry. After all, he has acquired a reputation for being thick skinned. He obviously doesn’t care about the barrage of criticism he has been bombarded with. He has continued speaking out despite the groans from the entire nation when he does so. His unconcern for the effects of his statements is important to Najib, who requires someone unafraid to deliver the bad news to the people.
Is Husni’s time as the Second Finance Minister truly over? That may be what is really going on behind the scenes as Ahmad Maslan’s star continues to rise. In the realm of politics, anything can happen, and things can change in an instant. The only thing we really can do is watch events unfold and hope for the best.

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