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UMNO Federal Territories Information Chief, Datuk Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim, has proposed that Lembah Pantai MP, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, be appointed the next Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) in an anticipated Cabinet reshuffle later this year.
Gulam Muszaffar, who also leads UMNO Batu, argued that the position should be held by a native of the Federal Territories.
He also suggested that Datuk Azman Abidin, the Prime Minister’s political secretary and a local from the capital, be appointed as a senator as a precursor to the ministerial post.
“I propose that Fahmi be appointed Federal Territories Minister, or Azman made a senator and then minister, since both are born and bred in the Federal Territories,” he said in a statement, also taking aim at the current political leadership in the ministry.
His remarks come amid tensions over claims that UMNO Batu has been sidelined in key policymaking processes within Wilayah Persekutuan, particularly regarding the appointment of local representatives to the Residents’ Representative Council (MPP).
Responding to a recent statement by Nor Azrina Surip, political secretary to the current Minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Gulam Muszaffar said the issue reflects a deeper disconnect between the ministry and local stakeholders. He noted that both Zaliha and Nor Azrina are not from the Federal Territories, calling this a contributing factor to the ministry’s lack of grassroots engagement.
UMNO Batu recently announced it had severed political ties with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at both Batu and Federal Territories level, citing what it called disrespect over MPP appointments. The move followed allegations that UMNO’s role was being marginalised.
Gulam Muszaffar dismissed Nor Azrina’s earlier denial of UMNO’s exclusion, pointing out that even his name had been incorrectly cited in her statement. “This reflects the quality of the political secretary. If they can’t even get a name right, how can they claim to engage with UMNO seriously?”
He insisted that UMNO Batu remains active and committed to grassroots welfare, adding that its social programmes could be verified through his personal social media platforms. “Our welfare work far surpasses that of any PH MP in Wilayah,” he claimed.
The UMNO Batu chief also revealed he had turned down an MPP role offered through a ‘counter proposal’ mediated by Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar, political secretary to Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. “We declined the offer after the ministry admitted it had erred in MPP seat allocations.”
Despite the friction, Gulam Muszaffar emphasised that UMNO Batu had previously extended goodwill to PKR, including offering its hall and logistics free of charge during the recent PKR Batu branch election.
“We even invited the new PKR Batu leadership to our division’s conference. That’s how UMNO Batu builds friendships—sincerely and honestly,” he said. - September 20, 2025