COMMENT | Is the special functions minister post meant to give Hishammuddin Hussein bigger clout to gain more grassroots support for him to later take a step up to be prime minister? Second deputy prime minister?

Who knows what Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has in mind.

In the last Umno elections, Hishammuddin finished last in terms of votes for vice-president, behind Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahidi who took the pole position, and Mohd Shafie Apdal.

So, the strategic move on his appointment is to give Hishammuddin greater influence and power both in his home state, Johor, and nationwide, preparing him to play a pivotal role in the next Umno race and the forthcoming general election.

The appointment will also be a booster for Hishammuddin to lead Johor Umno to retain the state, where the party’s support seems to have weakened with the dismissal of former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Hishammuddin is in dire need of greater support from Johor as opposition leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad and others try to make new inroads into Umno’s birthplace, Johor.

By building greater support through his new appointment, will Hishammuddin bring back the glory days of Umno in its birthplace?

Recently, the state Umno is reported as losing the support of the grassroots.

His appointment may have come as a surprise to the public. But rest assured the move is a calculated, planned and tactical promotion for Hishammuddin to be closer to the prime minister and for bigger things to come his way.

Whatever speculations and theories voiced, the appointment will safeguard and ensure that Hishammuddin stays close to the top in Umno.

His appointment is also a reminder to those wish to contest against Hishammuddin to think again.

Hishammuddin is expected to face competition in the coming Umno race for the party's three vice-president posts.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin may contest for the vice-president position.

All the more reason why Hishammuddin now needs to bolster his support in Johor before the Umno polls and general election.

There have been all kinds of analyses on Hishammuddin’s appointment as special functions minister.

The appointment is now seen as being supported by Zahid. The top three - Najib, Zahid and Hishammuddin - are now determined to lead the country again after the coming general election, despite the opposition apparently gaining support among some of the disheartened electorate.

M KRISHNAMOORTHY is an international freelance journalist for several foreign television networks and newspapers. He is also a trainer in Media Relations and Crisis Communications. He has worked as a senior writer for The Star (15 years) and the New Straits Times (11 years).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.