“The current position as the defence minister is already powerful enough,” he told FMT.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, in a statement today, said Hishammuddin would helm the position of special functions minister effective today.
Aziz said Najib’s decision to place Hishammuddin in the Prime Minister’s Department is “unprecedented”.
“Normally, this job is given to people without portfolio.”
He added Hishammuddin’s appointment would get the people talking.
“In politics, people would tend to question why this unprecedented move was made.”
Meanwhile, DAP MP Anthony Loke said the sudden appointment of Hishammuddin was “abnormal”.
“There is no cabinet reshuffle. (We have) enough ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department. Why do we need to appoint and have an extra portfolio?”
Loke also rebutted Umno minister Nazri Aziz’s remarks that Hishammuddin’s appointment was to maintain a good relationship with Middle East countries.
The Seremban MP said there is a foreign affairs ministry to look into the matter and urged Najib to explain his move to create a new post.
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