Najib appointed BNBBC chairperson: Report

KUALA LUMPUR: Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) has been appointed to lead BN backbenchers in Parliament ahead of the next sitting beginning Monday, according to a report quoting sources.

The Malaysian Insight quoted BN sources who said Najib's new role as chairperson of the BN backbenchers club (BNBBC) would allow him to set the tone for debates by its members in the Dewan Rakyat.

The government bench is divided between MPs holding minister and deputy minister's posts, as well as the backbenchers. BN comprising Umno, MCA, MIC, and PBRS has 43 MPs, of which 23 are backbenchers with a role to drive debates in the Dewan Rakyat through their speeches, including the much anticipated Budget 2021 to be tabled on Nov 6.

ADVERTISEMENT

Najib who is Pekan MP had relinquished all his positions from BN and Umno, including as its chairperson and president, when the coalition lost in the 2018 general election. In July last year, he was appointed as BN adviser.

Aside from Najib, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the BN parliamentary whip has the power to instruct all BN MPs when it comes time to vote, including on Budget 2021.

ADVERTISEMENT