Hishamuddin: A Journey to the Top?

Born on 5 August 1961, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has all the hallmarks of a potential Prime Minister.

That he has successfully steered away from the current controversies and is safe (at least for now) from darts, arrows and missiles and has not been embroiled in ongoing raging issues shows he has truly come of age as a Malaysian politician.

His portfolios have been nothing but impressive and all have given him the edge over other contenders to take over the helm of government should there be a change of leadership.

His journey to the top (or almost at the top) has been marked by an astounding record of achievement.

Currently, he is Minister of Defence of Malaysia, a portfolio he has been holding since 16 May 2013.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin was Minister of Home Affairs from 2009 to 2013.

For five years, he was the Minister of Education  from 2004–2009.

Prior to that position, he served as Minister of Youth and Sport (1999–2004).

As acting Minister of Transport (2013–2014), Datuk Seri Hishamuddin achieved international prominence in March 2014, as the minister responsible for investigating the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

His eloquence when contending with questions from international press, his composure when all else seemed to be falling apart, his compassion when dealing with bereaved families left a lasting imprint in the hearts of all who the brilliant manner in which he handled the challenging post-MH 370 scenario.

In terms of organizational structure, as one of the party's three vice-presidents and former chief of the party's youth wing from 1998 to 2009, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin is definitely a man of substance within UMNO.

Notwithstanding, he is also the son of Malaysia's third prime minister, Hussein Onn, and the cousin of the sixth and current prime minister, Najib Razak. His mother, Suhaila Noah, was from an illustrious family and his great-grandmother (mother of Hussein Onn), was a Circassian from Turkey.

With such an impressive background in bloodline and experience, there seems to be only one spot in his record book - the kris waving incident at the 2005 UMNO convention. Through time, it appears this has not been a setback in his political career as he has come forth stronger than before.

When Mahathir made the announcement of his retirement Hishammuddin was pacifying Tun with Rafidah n others. Does this not show he is a favoured one?

He even visited Taib Mahmud and when he went back to peninsular he was down with heart problems. Does this also mean that he is not destined?

Najib does not want Hishammuddin to be in front yet or else he too will be brought down.

Yet, the question remains. Why is Najib keeping Hishamuddin in the shadows?

As a dark horse, given the experience and breeding he has, Hishamuddin may just race to the front and overtake all other contenders to the PM's position.

We will have to wait and see.

Source:

Wikipedia, Internet sources, my friend Natasha here.