Anwar's Zahid dilemma: Between a liability and a critical ally for power

The string of political appointments at government agencies of Umno members loyal to their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to raise more questions on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's commitment to reforms, analysts say.

They said the appointments, which saw critical government-linked bodies such as Risda, Mara and Felcra helmed by Umno politicians, have only confirmed worries that Zahid and his party will become a liability to Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Anwar, who had used the "reformasi" brand over the last two decades in his bid for the top office.

Within the past month, Zahid announced Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad as chairman of the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority or Risda; former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat or Mara; and Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub as chairman of Felcra.

Former minister Hasan Malek was meanwhile announced as a Mara councillor while former Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim replaced Jamil Khir Baharom as chairman of the Kedah Regional Development Board.

The announcements came against a backdrop of other issues including the change of leadership in Melaka, the attempt to topple the Sabah chief minister, and Zahid's successful recovery of his passport despite still facing a slew of criminal charges in court. 

Academic Jeniri Amir said the appointments announced by Zahid were tantamount to a breach of the government's promise not to appoint politicians to positions that could be linked to the administration. 

He also warned of possible negative effects on agencies led by politicians who lack track records or who were defeated at elections. 

"This will become a liability and a burden on the government," Jeniri, a senior fellow at the National Council of Professors, said. 

"Chairmen and board members need to fulfil certain criteria – they need to be qualified, and persons of ability and integrity.

"Political support should never be part of the equation in appointments to government agencies or departments." 

Jeniri also questioned if Anwar himself had agreed to the appointments announced by Zahid, given that they went against the values he had fought for during his time as the opposition leader. 

If the appointments were made without Anwar's knowledge, he said, this too would give the impression that Zahid held absolute power to appoint politicians within his ministry. 

"Such power in the hands of certain leaders to appoint their own people will add to the government's burden and make it difficult for the top leadership, giving rise to public controversies," he said. 

Analyst Azmil Tayeb meanwhile said that Zahid was free to continue making such appointments, betting on the continued backing of PH supporters who would have no choice barring a shift in loyalties to Perikatan Nasional. 

"The appointments also appear to be part of efforts to strengthen Zahid's position as Umno president, and to attract the support of his members for Anwar's government in the name of stability. 

"Perhaps the strategy at the moment is to let Zahid fortify his position in Umno and to give him the freedom to do whatever he wants, including to make political appointments in order to boost his support," Azmil, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, added. 

While PH could form the government without Umno, he said, the support of the Malay party was still important. 

"PH needs a comfortable position in Parliament because the Borneo blocs are not fixed in their stance," he said. 

"They could shift to PN at any time. Without Umno, there is a greater risk of the PH government collapsing." 

Azmil said the only way for Anwar to regain public trust at the moment was to tackle the cost of living issue. 

"But this will not be easy as many factors are involved," he added.