'Zahid's appointment as DPM brings negative impact for Anwar'

SHAH ALAM - Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's appointment as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) is seen negatively impacting the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Universiti Malaya Political Analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said it was due to Anwar being known for his fight towards a reform and value of integrity in the country's administration.

He said Anwar’s action to appoint an individual involved in a court case like Zahid would risk the support of the public towards his party.

"Anwar has to look at the state of wanting to reform the country and not tarnishing the state of it.

"The appointment of Zahid as DPM is legally valid but from an integrity point of view it was wrong," he said in the Sinar Live Programme titled 'Time to realise the manifesto' on Wednesday.

Also participating as a panellist for the Sinar Live Programme was Tenggara MP Manndzri Nasib and Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief Atyrah Hanim Razali.

Anwar previously insisted that the position of Zahid's case should not be an issue in his appointment as DPM.

This was due to him yet to be proven guilty by any courts.

Tawfik in the programme suggested for the election be held on a weekend.

He explained that it would be easier for voters especially those who had to travel back home to vote.

"If we gave it to the states on a weekend such as Kedah on Friday and Saturday, the voting had to be done on Saturday because Friday is a short notice, states like Pahang and such polling day could be made either on Saturday or Sunday," he said.