Anwar’s new Cabinet choices
display his strengthened political hand...
The immediate takeaway from Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's first shake-up of his ministerial line-up since taking power over a year ago is that he is now firmly in charge.
Compared to the first team that was based on compromises with partners in a unity government after an inconclusive general election, Mr Anwar assembled his new team this week with a mandate of more than a two-thirds majority in the 222-member parliament.
His position has been further bolstered in recent weeks with five elected representatives from the opposition pledging support for his government, amid speculation of more to follow. The new line-up features five new ministers and the appointment of a trusted technocrat as second-in-command at the finance ministry, which Mr Anwar will continue to helm, reassignments and the return of several experienced hands to give the Cabinet more depth.
The original Cabinet, which had 28 ministers, now has been expanded to 31. On paper, the ministerial rejig by Mr Anwar is clearly aimed to better suit his pledge to spur Malaysia’s economy, which has slowed considerably after expanding 8.7 per cent in 2022.
The key seats...
The appointment of technocrat Amir Hamzah Azizan, who stepped down as CEO of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to take up the position of second finance minister, will provide the operational support at the ministry, while Mr Anwar can ensure that the management of the national cash register does not become open to the rent-seeking practices of the past that led to many financial scandals, such as the fiasco at state-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The breaking up of the Communications and Digital Ministry, with seasoned elected Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo heading the newly minted Digital Minister, is a reflection of the government's determination to become more aggressive in the digitalisation of the national economy. Fahmi Fadzil will continue to lead the communications arms, which Mr Anwar recently acknowledged needed more improvement, particularly in communicating national policies to the public.
Mr Anwar also broke up the Ministry of National Resource and Climate Change that was headed by a loyalist, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who will now lead the newly formed Ministry of Natural Resource and Sustainability.
Fadhillah Yusof, one of Malaysia’s two deputy prime ministers and a powerful politician from the Sarawak state, has been appointed to the new portfolio of energy transition and public utilities, while remaining in charge of the affairs of Borneo states that include Sabah.
Mr Anwar added depth to the new line-up with the appointment of Johari Abdul Ghani, a powerful politician from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), to the Plantation and Commodities Ministry that was previously headed by Mr Fadhillah.
Political dimension in UMNO selection...
There was also a strong political dimension to a set of reassignments involving ministers from UMNO, a key component in Mr Anwar’s coalition. Defence minister Mohamad Hasan, who is also UMNO deputy president, will be moved to the foreign ministry, replacing Zambry Abdul Kadir, who is moving to the higher education ministry.
Another UMNO stalwart Khaled Nodrin will leave the higher education ministry to take over the defence portfolio.The moves involving the UMNO ministers came as a result of some lobbying by the party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also one of the deputy prime ministers in the current government.
UMNO is seeking to repair its scandal-scarred reputation among the politically dominant Malay community. Mr Ahmad Zahid has tasked Mr Zambry to lead the party’s political renewal plan and he appealed to Mr Anwar in recent weeks to move the UMNO politician to a ministry that would not require too much overseas travel, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
Now that Mr Anwar has successfully negotiated the politics of government formation, the pressure is on him to deliver with the economic reforms.- Leslie Lopez,CNA
Anwar : Hopefully no
further changes until next GE...
When asked by journalists on the appointment of Mr Amir as second finance minister, Mr Anwar said that the finance ministry must have a "strong professional team" to ensure that the economy is on the right track.
"The focus is on the economy and not to be sidetracked by political pressures," said Mr Anwar.
Mr Amir Hamzah, (pix below) has shown enough competence and ability to manage the affairs of EPF in an impressive and satisfactory manner," he added.
Mr Anwar also expressed hope that he would keep the same Cabinet line-up until the next national polls, which is due in 2027.
"I hope, god willing, that if the performance is good and satisfactory and there are no new pressures ... I don't think there will be any further changes and we have a clear runway for the next four years until the next general election," he said.
Mr Anwar acknowledged that his government has faced "daunting issues" in communicating its policies to the public and that this was considered in his decision to split the Ministry of Communications and Digital.
"The criticisms levied against us is that while policies are impressive, the (process) to disseminate information has not been that effective or satisfactory so there must be this focus," he said.
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad...
Mr Anwar added that the return of Dr Dzulkefly as health minister was because the government needed "experience and a stronger focus".
"Ministry of Health has faced various problems, some of these are inherited some are to fulfill the needs of the people for better quality healthcare," he added.
A swearing-in ceremony of the federal ministers is scheduled to be held at the Istana Negara at 3pm.Apart from taking the oath of office, loyalty and secrecy, the new members of the cabinet will also be awarded their respective letters of appointment during the ceremony.
Last month, Mr Anwar’s unity government celebrated its one-year anniversary. Mr Anwar has consolidated power to command a strong majority in parliament, giving him a clear runway to the remainder of his five-year mandate.
However, his approval rating has taken a hit one year after he assumed office, with pollsters citing concerns over the economy and cost of living as drivers for the dip in voter sentiment. - CNA
Rombakan kabinet dah diumumkan. Macam aku tulis sebelum ini, itu semata-mata hak PM. Tak semestinya ditukar kementerian kerana tak perform. Mungkin juga kerana ada orang lain yang difikirkan boleh buat kerja yang lebih baik. Selain daripada itu, walaupun lantikan kabinet ini hak prerogatif PM, tapi ini Kerajaan Perpaduan. Dah pasti PM perlu mendapat pandangan daripada pengerusi gabungan parti dalam kerajaan. Dah tentu setiap parti ada kuotanya.
Selamat kembali Dr. Dzul. Aku tahu Dr. Dzul ni orang yang kuat bekerja. Tapi harapnya tak ulangi kesilapan masa 22 bulan dulu, jadikan rakyat sebagai musuh. Boleh faham kalau dia benci rokok tapi bukan sampai jadikan perokok sebagai musuh. Harap Dr. Dzul boleh lebih matang kali ini. Jangan lupa tindakannya memberi impak secara langsung kepada kerajaan dan PMX. Jangan sampai PMX kena balun sebab dia. Negara ini amalkan demokrasi dan kerajaan perlukan populariti.
Gobind Deo, yang aku dengar sebenarnya banyak buat kerja masa 22 bulan dulu. Tapi aku dengar lepas dia dah tak jadi menteri. Sebab masa jadi menteri, satu hal yang dia paling gagal adalah uar-uarkan kerja yang dia dah buat. Dengan Gobind sebagai Menteri Digital, rasanya Fahmi boleh tumpukan kepada kerja penerangan. Bolehlah pusatkan perhatian pada kandungan media sosial kini terutamanya TikTok yang menjadi medan fitnah oleh puak pembangkang
Secara keseluruhan, aku rasa barisan kabinet kini lebih baik. Perlantikan Armizan sebagai Menteri KPDN juga tepat kerana dia telah memangku tugas tersebut untuk beberapa bulan selepas pemergian Allahyarham DS Salahuddin Ayub. Pembangkang macam biasa tetap akan ada bunyi tak puas hati. Apatah lagi Hadi tak dilantik duta khas, nak puas hati macamana? Tapi kalau dibanding dengan kabinet PN dulu, waima Kabinet Bayangan sekali pun, jelas kabinet ini lebih hebat.
Biarkan pembangkang terus meroyan. Selain daripada meroyan, apa lagi yang boleh dorang buat? Masa jadi menteri dulu jadi pasu. Sekarang ni boleh pulak nak banyak komen. Komen pulak macam dia dulu hebat sangat buat kerja. Padahal masa dia la rakyat paling teruk menderita. - Raja Gelap II
Steadylah Abang Mat...
Israeli forces prevent doctors from
saving civilian lives in the West Bank!
A doctor tried to save a little girl's life
in Gaza, but it was too late...
cheers.
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