Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa's heart bleeds for Maszlee Malik, who resigned as education minister with effect today.

According to him, the Bersatu MP became a victim despite not being the worst performer in the cabinet.

The veteran politician also claimed that the next education minister is someone with powerful connections.

“Poor Maszlee... He became a victim despite not being the worst. But his place is to be taken by someone known as the crony to the 'most influential person' in the Pakatan Harapan government.

“This person is known to play safe and put his interests first in politics. He was a former strongman of DSN (former premier Najib Abdul Razak),” he tweeted this morning.

However, the Umno leader did not mention names.

Referring to the petition urging for Maszlee to be retained, Annuar, in a separate tweet, reiterated that the former was a victim of political manoeuvring.

“At least Maszlee had principles in his struggle. His successor....?” he added.

Puad Zarkashi: This is transition of power game

Similarly, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi also claimed that Maszlee was made a scapegoat to bring a particular individual into the cabinet.

“This is the transition of power game plan,” he said.

“Surely, (Maszlee's replacement) is not (PKR president) Anwar Ibrahim,” he was quoted as saying by Umno Online.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he would determine Maszlee's replacement and an announcement would be made soon.

Among the names making the rounds is former Umno minister Mustapa Mohamed, who joined Bersatu last September.