Not DPM but finance minister is the most sought-after post in the Ismail Sabri's new Cabinet

photo of Finance Ministry in Putrajaya, Malaysia by K X I T H V I S U A L S 

By ZAIDI ISHAM ISMAIL
editor@dagangnews.com

KUALA LUMPUR August 24 - Now that the Umno-backed by Perikatan Nasional coalition has returned to become the government of the day, it is only a matter of time before the new cabinet lineup is announced.

For the finance minister portfolio, speculation is rife that the new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob already has several candidates in mind. 

Who are they? Let's take a look at the potential candidates 

Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to make a comeback?
 

There are incessant talks that Ismail Sabri might appoint or rather bring  Johari back into the Cabinet.

Johari or more affectionately known as Datuk Jo is not a new face.

He was finance minister before during Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration until Barisan Nasional was defeated by Pakatan Harapan in 2018.

Johari might be a good fit as he knows the intricacies of the government machinery like the back of his hand.

Johari is also no stranger to the corporate world having helmed a few companies earlier in his career namely Idris Hydraulics,  C.I Holdings and UDA Berhad.

He is also currently the second largest shareholder of Media Prima Berhad after Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.

Johari's corporate knowledge might be handy in managing the company's finances given the need to rejuvenate the economy especially now at the height of  COVID-19.

Johari almost found a solution to the age old Kampung Baru land issues and also mooted the weekly float of oil prices.

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to become senator?
 

Mohamad or affectionately known as Tok Mat, is also not a stranger to Malaysian politics.

He has been Negri Sembilan's Menteri Besar for 14 years before the state fell to Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 general election.

Although Tok Mat was never in the Federal Government, the Umno stalwart had a stellar record while he was in Seremban.

The former Cycle & Carriage supremo is no stranger to the corporate world as well and may lend his expertise in Ismail Sabri's new Cabinet.

Umno Youth has also called on the government to consider Tok Mat due to his close affinity with the rakyat especially in his Rantau constituency.

Zafrul to return?

Another rumour in the grapevine is that Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz might even return as finance minister.

Why not? He is the perfect individual for the job especially now amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his 18 months tenure under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's leadership, Zafrul moved in step with the rakyat dishing out aid after aid after aid.

There is also talk that there will be two finance ministers under Ismail Sabri leadership, of which Zafrul will occupy one of them.

Zafrul is already familiar with the government machinery and he is a qualified banker which makes him well versed in the financial and monetary policies of the country.

Azmin Ali to make debut as Finance Minister?

Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has also cropped up in social media as one the candidates to take care of the country's finances.

Azmin could pull it off as he was former International Trade and Industry Minister and was former Selangor Menteri Besar.

Azmin managed the state's coffers well positioning Selangor as one of the country's richest states. 

However, there is a strong speculation now that Bersatu would nominate Azmin to be the DPM as the seat is allocated for Bersatu, via-a-vis during Muhyiddin's administration.

So who will be the country's next finance minister?

All eyes will be on Ismail Sabri who already said that the new Cabinet lineup will be announced this week.

Until then, let the guessing game continues. - DagangNews.com