100 days: KJ gives B-, says grade good despite 'albatross' Zahid

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has given the Anwar Ibrahim-led government a B minus score for its performance over the past 100 days.

In a podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, he commended some of the ministers from Pakatan Harapan but was critical of those from Umno, including Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He described the Umno president, who is on trial for a deluge of corruption charges, as a political burden for the prime minister.

Without elaborating, Khairy said B minus was a commendable score for a government with someone like Zahid as the number two.

"I give this government a B minus for its first 100 days. To me, this is a good grade, much higher than just a passing mark.

"But (this government) gets a B minus because its long-term policies are still unclear and there are many gaps in terms of policy,” he added.

Arguing that the cabinet's performance was “inconsistent”, he said: “Some ministers are good, while some others did not perform.

"I am not saying they are not good, but they are not outstanding (either). Because within 100 days, we expect them to help the prime minister outline a much clearer direction.”

Commending Anwar for maintaining political stability, Khairy said the prime minister also managed to establish himself as a centre-left politician through the Budget 2023.

"At this juncture, I see there is stability and the rakyat has accepted the formation of this unity government.

"However, Anwar, unlike Dr Mahathir Mohamad who could form his government in 2018 without the support of other parties, did not get the knockout punch in the general election.

"Politically, he has an albatross around his neck. This burden is Zahid, the DPM and president of Umno. Anwar would have to carry this burden, I don't know until when," he added.

He was referring to the support that Zahid lent to Anwar, which enabled the latter to become prime minister.

This happened when the 15th general election results returned with no single party or coalition having the simple majority to form a government, and Zahid led the BN coalition to work with Harapan, of which Anwar is the chairperson.

Praise for some ministers

Regarding the performance of Anwar's cabinet, Khairy commended several Harapan ministers including Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli, whom he said has good ideas; Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

"Loke got the highest rating so far. Of course, it is much easier for him because he used to helm the ministry before this. But I also know him personally, and he is a no-nonsense person, always focused on his work.

"The youth and sports minister meanwhile has gotten the attention of many young people, because of her fresh approach and a strict policy against racism which has no place in sports."

On Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who holds the natural resources, environment and climate change portfolio, Khairy said he would like to see the minister have "some urgency" in doing his job.

This was especially in planning a roadmap to push the environmental agenda for the country, he added.

Khairy also praised Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who is his successor, saying that the PKR leader has done a lot to solve many issues under her portfolio.

According to the former Umno Youth chief, he hoped that the government could further improve its performance towards its six-month milestone.

"I want to see ministers who had been quiet and seemed to be directionless, especially those from Umno, to stand out.

"For example, as we know this is the time when there is great political uncertainty, especially in a multipolar world, with the US, China, Russia and such.

"But where is our defence and foreign policy framework? I have not heard anything about this. We need to set the tone," he said, in what was seen to be hitting at Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan and Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

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