'Shocked to be dropped, but I understand' - Dr Dzulkefly
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad
The former health minister admitted that he wasn't upset when he learned that he wasn't ranked in the country's leadership but also understood and accepted the decision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who determined the line-up to serve the country better.
Dr Dzulkefly who is also the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) strategy director hoped the people could give the unity government time to prove its ability to steer the country, including solving the rising prices of goods and the cost of living issues.
In fact, he is confident that Anwar's leadership is capable of bringing the country back on the right track to develop the economy, thus benefiting everyone
Follow the exclusive interview with Dr Dzulkefly with Sinar Ahad reporters Diana Azis and Roskhoirah Yahya in Putrajaya to get a picture of his relentless efforts to push for health reforms and his future hopes for the industry.
Read the full interview on Sinar Premium.
SINAR AHAD: Last May, Datuk Seri expressed your intention to step down to make way for a new candidate, but why change your decision after Barisan Nasional (BN) nominated Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as their candidate?
DR DZULKEFLY: I have mentioned and recorded my intention to step down since a year ago to make way for younger candidates. But I'm also stern about the importance of the party's restoration efforts and that the incumbents' seats held by aged politicians should be given to young leaders.I offered the Kuala Selangor seat and identified the candidates for it. When BN fielded Tengku Zafrul as a candidate, I was asked by Amanah's top leadership and Anwar himself had expressed that we can't loose Kuala Selangor, hence I was fielded.
SINAR AHAD: Unsolved flood and road quality problems are among the residents' woos in the Kuala Selangor Parliament. Before GE15, there were rumours that these two big issues might sink Datuk Seri's name because it was said that there was no change during the administration. Datuk Seri's comment?
DR DZULKEFLY: The most important thing for a member of parliament is to know and cooperate with agencies and local authorities (PBT), Works Ministry (KKR) and so on.Without giving any excuses as what we can see, floods and roads are a chronic problem. I admit that certain places such as Kampung Seri Aman, Sentosa, Parit Mahang and more were places where floods are unaviodable. I feel sorry and sad to see the residents who had to be moved to temporary evacuation centres (PPS). I'm definitely observing this matter closely and at the same time pushing releavant authorities to solve the problem as soon as possible. It is hoped that the flood mitigation plan (RTB) project in Sungai Buloh which expected to be completed 2024 will solve this problem. Its development progress is at 45 per cent now.
SINAR AHAD: Amanah has contested in 54 seats in the last general election (GE15) but only won eight seats. Please share the reason for this and how the party avoid it in the upcoming state elections?
DR DZULKEFLY: Amanah lost four seats in Lumut, Parit Buntar, Pokok Sena and Titiwangsa, but we retained eight. For me, the performance was average, not bad, not great. So with what has happened in terms of political dynamics, we know the tide has turned.I don't want to give excuses but for me, I hoped some people when it comes to election should have their moral limits. In the last days of campaigning, some of our opponents took a rather extreme religious and anti-racial tactics to poison the thinking of Undi18 and the youth. There should be exposure to the Undi18 group regarding democracy and their rights, everything that gives them knowledge and information.Informed citizens should run a democracy, the choices made are based on information. That is very important. I almost want to propose a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) so that this does not happen again, which is 'poisoning' electorates, especially young, new minds (who are) easily deceivable. Instilling fear of politics, poisoning and emphasising racial dominance should not happen. I am very confident that in the state election, the situation can be handled well, allowing competitions for better policies, law, performance, figures, abilities, and capabilities. If you want to include religious matters, include those don't scare the people.
SINAR AHAD: On 206 Amanah members in Kedah who left the party since Nov 29, is it because of the dismissal of its chairman, Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi? Can Datuk Seri share what actually happened?
DR DZULKEFLY: This is an internal issue. It is due to the behaviours of the party members. Every party has a constitution, social contract or rules and norms that a party member should follow based on belief in the party's mission and vision. Every leader, activist, follower and member must be disciplined in the party. This is very important when we are dealing with a very hostile political situation at this time. As the Amanah strategy director, including in Pakatan Harapan (PH), political thinking at that time can be interpreted as higher-order political thinking, where it is very important for state and national leaders to be disciplined to know that there are things that are top-down, there bottom-up matter (that) matters and decisions which must be followed and adhered to. All parties are like that, there are ethics and manners that must be followed.We want to maintain discipline within the party because we have elections to win. We can't tolerate such behaviours in the party, that is not how Amanah is.
SINAR AHAD: The absence of the three main leaders of Amanah in Parliament, namely Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Khalid Samad and Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof, will definitely be felt. What is the challenge for Amanah to produce a new line of leaders comparable to them?
DR DZULKEFLY: This is a challenge for Amanah, but we will continue to build new leadership. It is an ongoing process, we have some young candidates who contested but did not win, such as Youth Leader in Temerloh and the Deputy Youth Leader in Tasek Gelugor. We have two prominent figures who are middle-aged, namely Aiman Athirah and Adly Zahari, as well as several other candidates like in Johor. I am aware of the need for us to immediately build a leadership reservoir, even if we don't win this time, but in the next state election and GE, we will see difference.
SINAR AHAD: Although you were not appointed to be part of the cabinet member of the Unity Government, you have always seem to be an enthusiast on implementing health reforms. Many people have questioned the decision where a defeated candidate was choosen but not you. Your comments?
DR DZULKEFLY: I have stated that as an average person, a politicia. At first, I was informed of a post in the Cabinet line-up, however, was taken by suprise when I found I was dropped.As much as I was suprised, I still understand the constraints, challenges, and demands on Anwar to put together a coalition government that is not just PH. In terms of composition, the cabinet needs to be balanced and consider various intersecting demands and that is what had happened. I submit to the will of Allah SWT. But I emphasise that I'm still committed to health reforms agendas that have been initiated. Several things in the health reform are written in the PH manifesto, among others, for me, the two big things are improving health services through digital transformation, especially the generation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to improve patient care and population health management in data. I will return to offer my services to the prime minister and hope to help the current health minister to formulate and plan health financing to improve the country's health industry.
SINAR AHAD: In the recent Parliament session, there were debated on Sheraton Move and the change of prime minister. It also emphasised the importance of proving Anwar's legitimacy in Dewan Rakyat rather than through a statutory declaration (SD). Can you explain further?
DR DZULKEFLY: I remember the matter was elaborated and explained thoroughly by the Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman. This can be considered as betrayal to the government by those who make up the Cabinet. This has brought to the drafting of the Anti-Hopping Bill. This law, in simple language, will not allow a representative to jump party and bring down a government like the Sheraton Move. All of that is related to SD issue which caused the previous government to collapse. For example, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin admits that he has enough SD and so on. Muhyiddin claimed that he has SD's support and is more entitled to be Prime Minister, whereas we know that in this regard, we have switched to party-based and no longer individual-based. If we remember, SD can be bought from people, sell it not once, twice, or even three times, and I use the term don't poison yourself with pawning and auctioning SD. We have to change to a party-based political culture.
SINAR AHAD: Regarding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the coalition of parties supporting the formation of the Unity Government, some parties claim that the government's efforts are unconstitutional and will lead to a dictatorship. Your view?
DR DZULKEFLY: One thing is clear to me when the MoU is accused of being unconstitutional and dictatorial. I insisted in the debate that it was an agreement of understanding and not a binding contract but an understanding of the five coalition parties, namely PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and the Warisan party to form a coalition government or Unity Government.
For example, Amanah and DAP stipulate that if it decided to leave or no longer want to be in the government, then that is a violation of the party constitution, thus, it can be referred to the the anti-party hopping law. The MoU is way for the five parties to support the prime minister, not a dictator, as claimed and has nothing to do with dictatorship or violation of the Federal Constitution.
SINAR AHAD: Now should be the time for all leaders to start working for the people, but we still see a culture of defamation among leaders, even in Parliament, it was seen as childish when many were shouting than focusing on the problem. How does you see this matter, and what advice can be given?
DR DZULKEFLY: We know Parliament has never been quiet, that is normal. In my opinion, as long as a representative or member of parliament is leading or not, there are two roles that need to be played. One, they need to work in their area and the other work in Parliament as a lawmaker. That role is important, and it is the role of a representative in Parliament to always check and balance of drafting and law-making process. That's actually what the title 'Yang Berhormat' meant. For 25 years, Anwar fought to be in a position to lead this country, I think it is very appropriate and worthy for him to be given the opportunity to prove his leadership and ability to lead the country. It is hoped that he will be able to help the country get out of all political, economic, pandemic, and public health crises and develop this country on the right track, thus making the country once again one of the roaring 'Asian Tigers' instead of falling behind other countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. I hope that the representatives elected by the people together play a role in developing this country, even from the opposition side.Everyone has a role, and the people will observe our work. Do your best because you have been entrusted. Let us not be a pest in this democratic process. In short, let's all play a role in rebuilding our beloved country.
SINAR AHAD: There were talks that this government have no idea on dealing with the rising cost of living. Your comments?
DR DZULKEFLY: Allow the prime minister and his entrusted people to deal with the issue of increasing livelihoods more thoroughly and give them some time. The inflation issue is not easy, but many aspects need to be examined. Give them sometime to resolve this. We can always give an opinion, no problem and we are ready to listen.
SINAR AHAD: Your view on Anwar's leadership as Prime Minister. Is he able to lead Malaysia's economy in a direction that is more respected by other countries?
DR DZULKEFLY: We have allowed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to lead the country, Alhamdulillah, there have been successes and failures, but they are already in the folds of history. Then Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (next) Muhyiddin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, individuals who were not elected but appointed (became Prime Minister). Now we return to the elected, this time, it is indeed a very complex political landscape. We don't have a simple majority government, so a minority government was created, we had to make various agreements with other parties with the consent given by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, we created a unity government which I believe is the best in today's situation.Who would have thought that the situation would be different, but this is what we have.
The appointed leader is Anwar, he deserves it because, according to the number of seats, PH got 82. As a friend who was involved in politics on the reform wave, I am convinced that after being together for 25 years, he is the most qualified person to lead the country. We hope he can prove his leadership with the ability and quick thinking to solve the country's many problems. We hopeto be able to develop the country on the right track and respected by other nations once again.
