KUALA LUMPUR: Much had been made of Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah’s decision to step down as second finance minister last month.
Husni had remained quiet since his decision on June 27, but in an interview with Berita Harian Ahad today, the Tambun member of parliament revealed just why he had resigned from his ministerial position and all party posts.
Life, he said, goes through three phases: education, working life and the age of maturity.
“I classified the third phase as the phase of maturity. We no longer work. We focus our time on charity and the sharing of knowledge with those who are in Phase One and Phase Two of their lives, in order to strengthen the capacity of that generation.
“In my heart, I was always asking when would I be stepping into the third phase of life. We are now in a highly competitive era, which is more complex... such surroundings require a ‘Pavlovian’ way of thinking.
“A ‘Pavlovian’ mentality requires individuals to understand changes and adapt to swift changes. I felt that the working life was now more suited to a generation that was younger than myself.
“I had, since several years prior, been contemplating moving into Phase Three. With my age past 60, would it be wise for me to continue serving?”
Husni said the work required as second finance minister was complicated, involving among others the management of fiscal policy, budgets, monitoring of financial standings, national debt, tenders, 1Malaysia Development Bhd, the corporatisation of Ministry of Finance Inc companies, monitoring of financial and capital markets and determining fuel prices, “as well as facing countless issues of perception”.
“Nevertheless, I continued my service in order to help the prime minister, government and the country in the face of global economic uncertainty,” he said.
Husni said he made the decision not to contest the next general election, thus leaving him with perhaps a year and a half of service.
“On the morning of June 27, after the Economic Council meeting, I asked the prime minister whether he would be changing my portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle to be announced that evening. He confirmed that this would be the case.
“I informed him that it was my intention to end my political career in the Finance Ministry. I had one and a half years of service remaining. If I was given another portfolio, one and a half years would not be enough for me to serve effectively."
Husni said his resignation meant that his “life in Phase Two” would be ending and he would then be moving into Phase Three.
“Thus, I resigned from my post as minister as well as all my positions within the party at national, state and division levels. The only position I still hold is as member of parliament.”