PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has suggested that economy minister Rafizi Ramli be given a different portfolio if Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reshuffles the Cabinet.
In a Facebook post, Puad said Rafizi has failed to offer “extraordinary formulas” for the economy, and that his suggestions for the people to cook and eat at home were basic.
“Perhaps Rafizi should be given the opportunity to present a ‘formula’ for tourism instead. It could be effective. Maybe Rafizi will become the best tourism minister,” he said.
This is not the first time that Puad has publicly criticised Rafizi. In May, he questioned what “significant steps” Rafizi had taken to help the nation’s economic recovery.
“Where are his better-than-BR1M (Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia) policies?” he asked, referring to the government assistance introduced during former prime minister Najib Razak’s administration in 2012 to boost disposable household income and narrow the income gap among the people.
Puad drew flak from Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in June for his constant criticism of Rafizi’s policies.
Asyraf said Umno was bound by collective responsibility as it is part of the Pakatan Harapan-led administration, and that it was pointless for parties in the government to continuously attack one another.
Following Puad’s remarks, Rafizi told him that while being criticised was part of his job as a minister, the constant attacks might annoy PH’s hardcore supporters.
