Datuk Anifah Aman, Foreign Minister – Outspoken brother of Sabah Chief Minister, he refused a deputy minister’s position after Election 2008, believing he deserved more.
He was identified as one of those Sabah politicians who was supposed to join Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR but all along he was a Najib loyalist. Given the Foreign Ministry portfolio because of his command of English. [Grading Najib’s Cabinet. The Malaysian Insider. April 9 2009]
Given the Foreign Ministry portfolio because of his command of English.
I suppose, too many Cabinet ministers cannot speak English properly. So low is the benchmark of becoming a minister these days.

p/s — At first glance, the Cabinet line-up looks just okay.[0] Just. Barely.
There are names that I do not like and some stuff like the merging of the two education ministries did not materialize.
Perhaps, too many Senators too; Chew “May 13” Mei Fun is one of those Senators. She is a deputy to yet another Senator, Sharizat Abdul Jalil.
I still remember Chew’s words during the campaigning period for the last general election. She said “if there is no sufficient Chinese representation in the Barisan Nasional, it is not a good thing, the Chinese community cannot afford another May 13 incident”.[1]
Well, we know that that did not happen. Her politics of fear is just another politics of hoax.
The Deputy Minister line up might have some problem. Like I said, I do not like Chew. And while Najib Razak wanted to create a clean Cabinet, he missed a spot: Baharom Johari is one of the deputies.
Do you remember Johari Baharom? I do. And I bet Nat does too.[2] There was an allegation of corruption directed against Johari Baharom by some somebody who commented on Nat’s blog. The police later arrested Nat under the OSA. The Deputy Minister for Internal Security at that time was Johari Baharom.

[0] — [Najib names his new cabinet. Malaysiakini. April 9 2009]
[1] — [Chew Mei Fun: Another May 13 if Chinese representation in BN is insufficient. Wong Chin Huat. People are the boss. January 22 2008]
[2] — Nat was taken away from his office today by 3 police officers to Bukit Aman. According to EK, they said they ”nak cakap tentang internet”. I’m a bit blurry with the details but I will try my best to keep you all updated. In the meantime, whoever wants to go to Bukit Aman to show support please do! Please call 2283 5567 ext 151 (that’s my office number) for more details. If I don’t answer means I’m not at my table. All else, try Eli or Tian if you have their numbers. [flash: Nat being held at Bukit Aman!. Soon Li Tsin. Jelas.info. July 13 2007]
2 replies on “[1947] Of he is a minister because he speaks English!”
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iya, ingat dong!