IPOH: PAS suggestion to set the Prime Minister’s age limit below 70 is being seen as a subtle way of rejecting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as a candidate, says Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim.
The PKR Youth chief said this was given that the Perikatan chairman has already passed that age.
He said the proposal appeared more political than practical, pointing out that Malaysia once had a prime minister in his 90s without such a rule being raised.
“To be a leader, what matters most is intelligence, good health, the ability to work effectively, and an understanding of the people’s aspirations,” he told reporters this after opening the Malaysian SDG Community Health Observatory Network programme held at the National Cancer Society Malaysia-Caritas Home of Hope here on Wednesday (Sept 24).
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had recently said any candidate for the Prime Minister’s post should be below the age of 70.
Abdul Hadi had admitted that he was not qualified to be the next prime minister because of his age and health.
He said the role is better suited to those under age 70, who are strong, healthy and able to work with the people on the ground.
Muhammad Kamil said while younger leadership is indeed important for the country’s future, the timing of PAS‘ proposal suggested it was aimed at blocking Muhyiddin from being considered as prime minister.
“In a more subtle way, it is like saying ‘we don’t want Muhyiddin‘, but instead of naming him directly, they framed it around age,” he said.
