Samsuri not fully tested, not ready to be PM, says MP

2026-03-13 - 01:04

Under menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Terengganu ranked a lowly 12th in GDP size in 2024, and was the third poorest state in the country. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar may struggle if elevated to the premiership, as he has yet to undergo the full range of political tests expected of a national leader, says an Umno MP. Tampin MP Isam Isa said Samsuri, the Terengganu menteri besar, is often perceived as a capable technocrat who has successfully transitioned into politics. However, he said the PAS vice-president has yet to face public scrutiny as a national leader, especially one said to have the makings of a prime minister. “He has not been fully tested. To immediately be seen as someone capable of being a successful prime minister — I don’t see that in him yet. “Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, on the other hand, has been tried and fully tested, both during his time in Umno and outside the party. Now he continues to face various tests in leading the unity government. “These are the types of tests that actually determine someone’s level of readiness to become the nation’s number one leader,” he told FMT. Isam however acknowledged that Samsuri does not appear to come with any baggage. “To me, he appears clean, and he is one of the figures who could potentially be pushed forward. In fact, I acknowledge that he is qualified to become a future prime minister.” Samsuri spent a decade serving as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s political secretary before contesting and winning the Rhu Rendang state seat in 2018. He was subsequently appointed Terengganu menteri besar and retained