Political analysts weigh in on Cabinet reshuffle

SHAH ALAM - The recent changes to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Cabinet have received mixed reactions from political analysts.

While some praised the inclusion of competent individuals in the Cabinet reshuffle today, others expressed concerns about DAP's representation in the new line up.

Political expert James Chin said the reshuffle did not result in a significant change in DAP's overall percentage in the Cabinet and the number of new ministers did not bring a substantial shift in DAP's representation.

However, he raised concerns about the decision to keep the Education Ministry portfolio unchanged, considering it was a significant problem.

He also found that the shift of Steven Sim (previously Deputy Finance Minister II) to the Human Resources Minister surprising, noting that V. Sivakumar who previously held the portfolio was an underperforming minister especially due to the scandal involving corruption in the ministry.

Sivakumar has been dropped from Anwar's Cabinet following the reshuffle today.

"If you look at the numbers of new ministers, there is no big change in DAP's overall percentage, so DAP remains with the same percentage they have.

"The replacement of the Health Ministry portfolio is expected but the Education Ministry portfolio turned out to be a big surprise to everyone.

"Many have acknowledged the fact that Education Ministry is a big problem, but Anwar has decided to maintain the portfolio," he said.

Fadhlina Sidek remained as Education Minister while Dr Zaliha Mustafa (previously Health Minister) now held the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) portfolio.

Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad is the new Health Minister.

Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs Senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said the recent Cabinet reshuffle widely considered to bring back competent faces.

"There are some welcomed or widely considered to be competent faces coming back namely Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (Plantation and Commodities Minister), Dzulkefly and Gobind Singh Deo (Digital Minister).

Oh praised the appointment of Dzulkefly as Health Minister, providing a sense of relief amid the escalating Covid-19 numbers.

Political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri emphasised the necessity of DAP maintaining a substantial role in the government due to their significant parliamentary representation.

"DAP should have as much footing and power in the government because they hold a lot of seats in Parliament," she said.

She commended the experience of the new ministers and anticipated a stronger government as a result.

"I don't see this causing a rift at all," she said.

The Madani government's new cabinet line up saw a minister and two deputy ministers dropped from the previous list.