In a statement, the PMO said the Bersatu deputy president will be advising Muhyiddin on matters related to community networking and communication as well as socioeconomic development.

Faizal’s appointment would see him become the third “ministerial-level” appointment after Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang became the special envoys for China and the Middle East, respectively.

He will also be Muhyiddin’s second special adviser, after Dr Jemilah Mahmood was appointed the prime minister’s special adviser on public health.

The Tambun MP was previously the Perak menteri besar before being ousted in a confidence vote in the state assembly last December. He was then replaced by Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad.

Earlier, a poster of Bersatu’s Kota Bharu division congratulating Faizal on his appointment was making the rounds, raising the eyebrows of some netizens.

Supreme Council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman and a well-placed government source told FMT that Faizal’s appointment was true.

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