Anwar’s biggest test yet as reshuffle rumours swirl
Rumblings of a major reshuffle within the unity government Cabinet have grown louder, placing Anwar in what analysts described as his most critical decision-making juncture yet.
SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is entering the most pivotal moment of his administration as rumours swell over an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, with four key ministries left vacant and political pressure intensifying ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Rumblings of a major reshuffle within the unity government Cabinet have grown louder, placing Anwar in what analysts described as his most critical decision-making juncture yet.
The vacancies in four strategic ministries which were Economy, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), have fuelled expectations that a sweeping revamp was imminent.
These gaps have become increasingly urgent to address given the ministries’ link to economic performance and investor sentiment. The recent Sabah state election results, which failed to reflect strong support for the Madani Government, have added further pressure on Anwar as he marked nearly three years at the helm of a Cabinet many considered ready for restructuring.
Miti’s vacancy emerged after the service of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz ended on Dec 3 along with his two-term Senate appointment.
The Economy and Natural Resources Ministries have also remained without ministers since May following the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad after their party election defeats.
Another vacancy arose when Datuk Ewon Benedick stepped down from the Entrepreneurship portfolio after United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) withdrew from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Speculation that Minister in the Prime Minister’s department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar would be replaced by Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has subsided after Na’im, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir were sworn in for a second Senate term.
With Tengku Zafrul now serving as chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the name of Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has surfaced as a leading contender for a senior position in the new line-up.
Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Johari was Umno’s strongest candidate to retain its standing in the Cabinet.
He said the Titiwangsa MP’s economic management experience and his role as Umno vice-president made him a logical choice for the Miti post. However, he did not rule out Johari being appointed as Economy Minister instead.
“This is because I see that projection as logical if Umno’s strategy and that of its president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, are taken into account, with Anwar perhaps considering a more pragmatic candidate for the Miti ministerial post.
“I think Anwar will continue retaining Tengku Zafrul’s role in shaping Miti’s direction even though the former Umno Supreme Council member is no longer a minister.
“Therefore, I see Johari as more practical for Anwar to appoint as the economy minister, with the Miti portfolio possibly given to an economist, technocrat or academic figure close to him,” he said.
PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan was widely viewed as the near-certain pick to lead the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, given his three years’ experience as deputy minister and increasing calls for Indian representation in the Cabinet.
Former Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) executive secretary Azizi Safar, however, expressed scepticism over the possibility of former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin or PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar being appointed.
"The appointment of KJ (Khairy) would certainly face strong resistance from Umno leaders, while Nurul Izzah is expected to remain uncomfortable with ongoing claims of nepotism given that her father is the Prime Minister," he said.
Hisomuddin said he saw Khairy’s potential differently, suggesting that bringing him into the Cabinet could help Anwar win support from young and undecided voters ahead of GE16, especially since Khairy’s path back to Umno appeared nearly shut.
Both analysts also dismissed speculation that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Saifuddin would be removed.
“With the Madani Government’s Cabinet only having one and a half years left before GE16, I think Anwar will not take such a big risk by reshuffling critical ministerial portfolios.
“For that reason, Fadhlina, Saifuddin and Zambry are expected to remain leading their respective ministries,” Hisomuddin said.
Meanwhile, Azizi added that another woman minister may be appointed to fill vacancies in either the Natural Resources Ministry or the Plantation and Commodities Ministry should Johari assume a new role.
Umno women chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad was among the names believed to be under consideration.
He said Anwar may also appoint another minister from Sabah to fill Ewon’s vacancy.
"My projection is that names such as Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud of PKR or Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin, both from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, will be considered," he said.
According to Hisomuddin, several other leaders were also on the radar, including Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Position of Madani Government seats by party composition:
PKR – 8 seats (2 now vacant)
BN – 6 seats (1 vacant)
DAP – 4 seats
Gabungan Parti Sarawak – 5 seats
Sabah quota (GRS/PH) – 2 seats (one vacated by the Upko representative)
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) – 2 seats
Technocrat/Expert roles – 2 seats (Minister in the Prime Minister’s department (Religious Affairs) & Second Finance Minister)
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
