Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda is in the running to take over the deputy defence minister post from Adly Zahari if the latter gets a promotion to a full cabinet minister.

When contacted, several party leaders confirmed the speculation and expressed support for such a move.

Hasbie (above) - who is a senator - said he too has heard such speculation but would leave the matter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"I have heard (that my name was suggested), but I'm not in a position to confirm (who will be appointed)," he told Malaysiakini.

He added that in the party hierarchy, the youth chief is the most senior position after the vice-presidents.

However, he said this was not the deciding factor in the matter.

Amanah's Batu Tiga assemblyperson Danial Al Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid and Sri Serdang assemblyperson Abbas Salimmi Che Adzmi both expressed support for Hasbie to be elevated as a deputy minister.

Previously, other party sources told Malaysiakini that Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof was also being considered for the deputy defence minister post.

Adly, who is an Amanah vice-president, is expected to take over the domestic trade and cost of living portfolio to replace the late Salahuddin Ayub.

This would in turn cause the deputy defence minister post to fall vacant.

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Amanah veep Adly to be made domestic trade minister - sources

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