Anwar's credibility quandary: Zahid's DNAA and the dilemma of Cabinet reshuffling

SHAH ALAM – It was an inevitable blowback that perhaps only the densest few could not have foreseen and when struck, it cast a domineering shadow on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar’s credibility.

So much so that the High Court verdict of his deputy, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is still making headlines, generating buzz despite a fortnight has passed since its controversial Sept 4 debut.

Critics now brandish all manner of ammunitions over Zahid’s discharge-not-amounting-to-acquittal (DNAA) that freed him from 47 corruption charges; a feat made possible only because the prosecution withdrew its pursuit.

It may have been unintentional, but such an outcome inadvertently confirmed detractors’ speculation since Anwar was sworn in as PM after finally ending the political deadlock of a hung parliament.

The alleged conjecture was simple: somehow, Zahid will be saved in exchange for Umno’s support to Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“If he genuinely believed in the legal system and his own innocence, he should not have been afraid and should have prioritised the party's interests and should not have put Umno’s mandates aside,” argued Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam from Universiti Teknologi Mara.

Aziz was referring to the ‘No DAP! No Anwar! No Bersatu!’ motion that was filed and accepted by Umno in its 2021 general assembly.

“Zahid didn't need to take the actions that he did. Demonstrating such integrity would have instilled greater confidence in the public, both in Umno and in himself,” added the senior lecturer from the faculty of communication and media studies.

In a bid to stem the groundswell against him, Anwar argued that Zahid’s 47 charges were not professionally carried out and would have had no basis in law.

However, what spoiled this particular school of thought was that prima facie was already established; if the court has deemed so, then it merited a proper trial.

And the lack thereof emboldened vocal critics – especially political enemies – in condemning Anwar.

On Saturday last week, as Malaysia celebrated its birthday, Malaysia Day, Anwar’s detractors have congregated in the capital.

They launch relentless volleys at Anwar, hoping that the masses could see him with an unkind lens; a leader less radiant in integrity and moral rectitude, far from the beacon of virtue than he claimed.

But while they were loud and boisterous, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Professor Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid maintained that the Sept 16 protest was harmless compared to previous demonstrations.

It attracted only about 1,000 participants, Fauzi pointed out, and was deprived of leadership as the main leaders from Perikatan Nasional and even the youth leaders were absent.

“It was nowhere near the scale of the Reformasi protest or the anti-ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination) demonstration.

"The protest would hardly have any threatening impact on the government’s stability.

“It was a pale shadow of larger sentiments within the population,” argued Fauzi.

Threatening or not, it is indisputable that Zahid’s DNAA has sullied the government’s image which was an unneeded bane given PH and Umno’s dismal performance in the Aug 12 state elections in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

Datuk Professor Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia claimed that the DNAA is baggage not only for Anwar but also for Zahid.

“Zahid is not out of the woods. The charges can be brought back if prosecutor decides so and have compelling new evidence to mandate such action.

“But an innocent person needs not to worry whether cases against them are trumped up or real.

"The truth shall prevail, and all are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law,” he added.

On the outset, the equation looked relatively uncomplicated.

If trust deficit is the symptom and Zahid is the cause, to be rid of the latter would surely cure the former.

But in Malaysian politics, few matters are straightforward.

“Reshuffling the Cabinet because of Zahid’s DNAA will further create negative perceptions,” Aziz argued, adding that doing so may be seen as mere diversion.

If before, Aziz continued, Zahid has 47 corruption charges and can still hold the Deputy Prime Minister post, then the current DNAA granted to him ought to make him more qualified.

“Why now? Why not earlier? Although Umno seems to need PH, the latter also needs Umno and based on the changing of government in the past, it showed that Umno can do anything,” said Aziz.

Jayum also seconded on the precarious nature of a Cabinet reshuffle done to get Zahid out of the picture, stressing that it could prejudice the situation the more.

If there is indeed to be one, he added, then it must be done to remove ineffective ministers and trim the huge Cabinet, which wastes public funds that can be put to better use.

“It should not be about removing Zahid. It must be about strengthening the government and giving Umno a better line-up so that it can be an effective partner in the government.

“If Zahid’s departure is going to do that, then he must be a big man, a gracious leader and make way for his men to help him strengthen Umno and its role in the government,” Jayum contended.

For now, there isn’t any obvious indication that Anwar will reshuffle the Cabinet. Sources in Putrajaya are also tight-lipped about the matter.

The best that Anwar can do in such circumstances, according to Fauzi, was for him to discuss internally with Umno's top leaders so that Zahid voluntarily give way to someone with greater legitimacy to become Umno’s face in the Cabinet.

“He could not remove Zahid at will now because it would be tantamount to apportioning guilt to a hitherto innocent party,” he argued.

Nonetheless, Fauzi also believed that Anwar should consider a Cabinet reshuffle.

Even more so against the backdrop of the result of the six state elections, which, he added, would have given him certain ideas on how to improve his standing and image among Malaysians.

“He might want to consider delegating more tasks at the Finance Ministry to a second minister, like Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani with a view to ultimately relinquish the post altogether towards the end of his term.

“Anwar also needs to weigh the pros and cons between placating the Malay Muslims in the north and northeast of the Peninsula; and safeguarding the interest of the cosmopolitan areas in Malaysia,” Fauzi remarked.

Anwar's path forward may require a careful balancing act; a typical case picking one's poison and whichever toxicant he chooses will define his legacy; and many are waiting for his next move as he sits at the pinnacle of power.