Who will be the next transport minister?

Now that MCA has reaffirmed the party's stand on barring members from accepting cabinet positions, the spotlight now falls on a handful of Umno members who are in the running for the post of transport minister.

Currently, Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein is the acting transport minister, a position normally reserved for MCA.

Of the 25 newly elected Umno supreme council members, there are nine who are neither a cabinet member nor a deputy minister.

Of this nine, three particularly stand out - Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis, Annuar Musa and Azalina Othman Said - because of their previous experience in the cabinet.

Jamaludin (right) came in 12th place in the supreme council race while Annuar placed 16th and Azalina 19th. Jamaludin had once helmed the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry while both Annuar and Azalina were once youth and sports ministers.

Both Jamaludin and Annuar already have important government positions. Jamaludin heads the PR1MA Corporation.

Annuar heads Mara, which is of particular importance because of its vital role in federal government's Bumiputera Economic Empowerment programme.

On the other hand, Azalina does not hold any government position and allowing her to helm a senior cabinet position would boost premier Najib Abdul Razak's credentials by opening opportunities for women.

However, all three carry with them baggage in one form or another which may affect Najib's eventual choice.

There are other candidates for the transport ministry position such as Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Bung Moktar Radin, who are all MPs.

However, none of these individuals have ever had any experience as deputy ministers and are unlikely to be allowed to helm a senior cabinet position such as that of the transport ministry.

The remaining supreme council members without a cabinet or deputy ministership at present are Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi and Sohaimi Shahadan.

The duo are unlikely to be considered for the position because they are both not MPs.