It looks like Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin cannot wait to be made a full minister. Well, as the saying goes: when one is insignificant, any publicity is good publicity.

The fact that people like him are making their mark in the local political arena speaks volumes of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's selection policy of leadership successors.

While a neighbouring country is doing its best to recruit its next generation of leaders using means which weeds out the undeserving, we in Malaysia on the other hand promote them to ensure the political survival of the incumbents. One is made a deputy minister based on dubious record of service to the people such as having launched an 'effective' propaganda against the opposition.

Mahathir once said that it is not important whether he is remembered or not. Well, he will be remembered all right, but unkindly for foisting officials like Zam on the people.