'Azmin Needs To Stamp His Own Leadership Mark, Says Analyst', The Rakyat Post, 1 January 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1, 2015:

After 100 days of being Selangor Menteri Besar, Mohamed Azmin Ali’s performance has been less prominent, political analysts say, stating that it had been overshadowed by his predecessor.

Universiti Putra Malaysia Prof Dr Jayum Jawan said he had yet to see any change or unique idea introduced by Azmin since he took over the helm of the state government from Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim on Sept 23.

“Perhaps he has been trapped in several controversial issues, but for the non-Malays, he has already shown something that they wanted, that is returning the seized Bibles.”

Jayum said he personally thought Azmin did the right thing despite certain quarters claiming that the Bibles were stamped.

The Holy Scripture was seized in January last year for containing the word “Allah”, which was deemed exclusive for Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia.

“What has been done is done. Azmin cannot be trapped in the same old issues,” he said, when contacted by The Rakyat Post. 

However, he said Azmin had to come up with something new as he had to prove himself to the people who had given him the opportunity to govern the state.

“Azmin’s ‘signature’ has not been seen despite 100 days of being in office. This is what differentiates Azmin from Abdul Khalid.”

Universiti Sains Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, on the other hand, said Azmin still required time to adapt himself.

He said extraordinary circumstances, in the manner in which Azmin took over the helm from Abdul Khalid, had led the former to face challenges which had to be sorted out as soon as possible.

“Azmin is seen to be finishing off Abdul Khalid’s agenda and, at the same time, he is also trying to get out of the former MB’s shadow.”

Sivamurugan also agreed that Azmin had to have his own “signature” in terms of his leadership style.

“Abdul Khalid was in office for more than one term. So, it’s not surprising many matters are being used as references.”

At the same time, Sivamurugan said Azmin was also facing an inner struggle within PKR for the party president’s post.

The infighting, he said, had to be minimised before a new agenda could be released.

“This is the biggest challenge for Azmin to prove his worth as he is currently PKR’s deputy president and there is the possibility that he would lead the party in future.”

Read more: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/01/01/azmin-needs-stamp-leadership-signature-says-analyst/#ixzz3Nu3vDjQW