Tok Mat and Fadhillah touted as DPMs

SHAH ALAM - Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is the most viable candidate for Umno to propose as Deputy Prime Minister, according the a political analyst.

Pro Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal said as Barisan Nasional has the opportunity to fill the quota for one of two Deputy Prime Ministers under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's unity government, Umno deputy president Mohamad is seen as the credible choice which can be accepted by the people and the party.

He said under normal circumstances where the hierarchy takes precedence, it would be Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that receives priority, but the public is aware that he is still embroiled in several court cases.

"The second man in Umno, Mohamad, would be a natural choice because he doesn't have any court cases to deal with and we believe that Prime Minister Anwar wants tp lead a clean unity government," he said.

According to Barisan Nasional Kedah communications secretary Syamil Halim, Mohamad is a clean leader who is capable of serving as Deputy Prime Minister.

He said:"I do agree with Mohamad being the best candidate for Deputy Prime Minister because he is the right leader, according to the hierarchy of Barisan Nasional.”

Besides Barisan Nasional, Gerakan Parti Sarawak is also part of the unity government and have been given the quota of providing a second Deputy Prime Minister.

Dr Nik Ahmad believes that former Works Minister Dr Fadillah Yusof is one of the best candidates to be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister because he is the chairman of GPS and an experienced member of the Cabinet.

Syamil also agreed on Dr Fadhilah as GPS' choice for Deputy Prime Minister because he has no issues with court cases over corruption charges.