Malaysia PM Anwar’s first Cabinet reshuffle sees newcomer named as second finance minister, changes to defence and foreign portfolios

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (Dec 12) saw the introduction of a new face to help helm the finance ministry, even as several other familiar faces returned to the line-up and others were dropped or had their portfolios switched.

Among the notable changes, chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Amir Hamzah Azizan was appointed second finance minister, edging out other names such as United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) veteran Johari Abdul Ghani that had been touted for the role.

Mr Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio.

Mr Amir, who is the eldest son of the former Petronas chairman and president Azizan Zainul Abidin, is a political newcomer. He was sworn in as senator early on Tuesday so that he is able to take up his role at the finance ministry.

Meanwhile, UMNO deputy president Mohamad Hasan is set to assume the role of minister of foreign affairs, taking over from Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. 

Mr Mohamad's defence minister role will instead be held by his fellow party member Khaled Nordin, who will vacate his post as Minister of Higher Education. Dr Zambry will then take over the role vacated by Mr Khaled. 

Mr Johari will take on the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry portfolio. 

Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) politician Dzulkefly Ahmad will assume the post of health minister, replacing Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Dr Zaliha will instead helm the Federal Territories Ministry, which is under the Prime Minister's Department.

The changes, which is Mr Anwar’s first leadership reshuffle since taking power a year ago, were announced by the prime minister on Tuesday.

Dr Dzulkefly, a veteran toxicologist, was a popular figure when he was health minister under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad between 2018 and 2020. He led Malaysia's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic before the PH government fell following the Sheraton Move. 

Mr Anwar also announced that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah politician Armizan Mohd Ali will be the new Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, taking over the role from Dr Salahuddin Ayub who died in July due to a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Armizan has been acting minister to the post since July.

Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker Steven Sim, who currently holds the deputy finance minister II post was promoted to become Minister of Human Resources to replace his fellow party member V Sivakumar.

Mr Sivakumar, who is deputy secretary-general of DAP, had faced repeated calls to resign after an aide and several senior officers in his ministry were arrested over allegations of corruption.

The Communications and Digital Ministry will now also be split into two, with DAP Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh set to split the portfolio with the incumbent Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Fahmi Fadzil.

Mr Gobind was Minister of Communications and Multimedia during the PH administration under Dr Mahathir.

HOPEFULLY NO FURTHER CHANGES UNTIL NEXT GE: ANWAR

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) 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. 

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.