4 PH leaders have the ‘X factor’, poll shows

KUALA LUMPUR: Having the “X factor” is the main reason four Pakatan Harapan leaders are the subject of conversations, 100 days after the coalition took over the country’s administration.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three ministers, namely Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, possess such qualities so much so their faces and news about them are regularly featured in media.

Their unique features, positive or otherwise, were acknowledged by most who took part in a New Straits Times Press survey.

Dr Mahathir, 93, proves he commands admiration when he was voted the “Most Popular Minister” and the “Most Intelligent Minister”.

A total of 148 or 29.6 per cent of the respondents chose the Kedah-born over his closest contender, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (80).

It came as no surprise following his reputation as the prime minister for 22 years during the Barisan Nasional administration, when he introduced populist policies and was deemed a “huge name” in the global political arena.

For the “Most Intelligent Minister” category, 175 people or 35 per cent of the respondents chose Dr Mahathir over Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (92). This was supported by the fact that he had helmed PH, leading to the defeat of BN in the 14th General Election and his reputation as the “Father of Modernisation”.

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu emerged as the respondents’ top choice in the “Funniest Minister” category with 345 or 69 per cent saying they acknowledge his sense of humour.

Syed Saddiq was named the “Most Good-looking Minister” by 309 people or 61.8 per cent of the respondents, thanks to his young age of 26 and his female fans.

Lim was chosen by 110 or 22 per cent respondents as the “Most Controversial Minister”, followed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (88).

Lim has been vocal in criticising BN and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, particularly on issues pertaining 1Malaysia Development Bhd, while Mujahid has been recently dragged into the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual polemic.