First, a veteran newsman with close links to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad noted the possibility of Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the son-in-law of the previous prime minister, swiftly scaling the political ladder to become deputy prime minister.

Now, another veteran newsman, with close ties to current premier Najib Abdul Razak, who is the son of the second prime minister, said that in order to progress, Malaysia must move past political dynasties and clans.

Commenting on the blog posting regarding Khairy's ascension by former News Straits Times Group editor-in-chief A Kadir Jasin (left), ex-Malay Mail top editor Ahiruddin Attan also ruled out Mahathir’s son Mukhriz becoming prime minister in the future

Popularly known as Rocky, he was also against current defence minister, Najib’s cousin, and son of the third prime minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, rising to the top.

"If you ask me again not about these candidates but about the whole leadership issue, this is what I really think: Mukhriz Mahathir should not be DPM or PM. Nor should Hishammuddin Hussein. Khairy son-in-law of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should never be.

"Because, with due respect, why should we still be stuck with the children and in laws and daughters and wives of our ex-prime ministers and ex-deputy prime ministers?

"If we are to progress as a nation and a people, we must look beyond the dynasties and clans that exist and consciously disqualify sons, sons-in-law, daughters, daughters-in-law and, for that matter, wives of ex-PMs and ex-DPMs," he added.

Ahirrudin (right) said Malaysians must consciously expand their vision and find a new leader from outside these clans to take the nation higher and farther.

"We are a nation of 27 million highly literate and educated people. Surely we got talent," he added.

Rocky's pick for top posts

He then went on to list several potential candidates for the top posts, which included Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan (right), Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron and Umno supreme council member Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
 
As for the Sabah-born politician Rahman, Ahiruddin said he has proven himself to be a capable minister.

"Not as good looking as Khairy but he's smart and savvy," he added.

On the other hand, he said Shabery is a matured politician and administrator.

"Not Oxbridge material like Khairy but people forget that he was a ferocious student leader and has gone through the mill, from mainstream Umno to a splinter within the party and to where he is today.

"As information minister, he's hands-on and knowledgeable," he added.

On Idris, the veteran editor said the politician has proved his capabilities to those who doubted if he would be able to fill in the shoes of his predecessor, Mohd Ali Rustam.

"Unlike Khairy, he came from a poor family and feels (for) them. He needs to be more media savvy like Khairy though.

"And, please, if Idris can get them to bring down half the posters with his photograph around the state, there would still be half too many," he added on a sarcastic note.

Last but not least was Azeez, whom many would consider an unlikely choice, but Ahiruddin pointed out that the Tabung Haji chairperson has the gumption needed for politics.

"And shoot me, you dare discount Azeez? Say what you like about this former used car dealer, he's come a long way with guts and grit.

"A natural orator, a champion of causes, even Mahathir thinks Azeez can get a job done where others fear even to tread.

"Azeez ni berani jugak (This Azeez is brave)’, the Tun (Mahathir) told me recently," he added.

Ahiruddin said that Azeez reminded him of one of Mahathir’s former deputies, the late Ghafar Baba.

"Did you think then Ghafar would make DPM one day?" he asked, and quoted Kadir's blog post on Khairy where the latter mentioned that "nothing is impossible in politics".

Meanwhile, Ahiruddin also named current foreign minister Anifah Aman, who is the brother of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, as his best pick for the deputy prime minister post.

"In fact, I am surprised that Najib hasn't named his charismatic foreign minister as his second deputy prime minister yet," he said.


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