Government undergoes major changes to address national issues
PUTRAJAYA: After a year in office, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expanded his Cabinet to 31 ministers in response to current challenges and demands. The Prime Minister brought in a technocrat, reinstated three former ministers, and split two ministries.
Anwar’s previous Cabinet had 28 ministers, so the additional appointments have brought the total to 31. This is the same size as the Cabinet under his predecessor, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, but one fewer than the line-up under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
One significant change in the new Cabinet is the appointment of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as Second Finance Minister. Anwar emphasized the importance of having a strong and professional team leading the ministry, and believes that Amir Hamzah has the competency and ability to drive the economy forward without being distracted by political pressures.
Additionally, Anwar has reintroduced three former ministers – Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as the new Health Minister, Gobind Singh Deo leading the newly formed Digital Ministry, and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as the Plantation and Commodities Minister.
Two ministries have been divided – the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry is now split into Energy Transition and Public Utilities, and Natural Resources and Sustainability. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will be handling the Energy Transition and Public Utilities, while Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad will oversee Natural Resources and Sustainability.
Another ministry that was split is the Communications and Digital Ministry, originally led by Fahmi Fadzil. It is now divided into Communications Ministry and Digital Ministry respectively.
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali is now officially the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, after serving in the acting capacity for the past five months following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
Other notable changes include Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin taking on the role of Defence Minister, former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan becoming the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa being appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Federal Territories.
Additionally, Steven Sim, previously a Deputy Finance Minister, has been promoted to the position of Human Resources Minister. Meanwhile, the former holder of that portfolio, V. Sivakumar, has been dropped.
Despite the changes, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will continue to serve as the Rural and Regional Development Minister and will also be in charge of the National Disaster Management Agency.
Anwar also announced that all ministers will still have their salaries cut by 20% until the economy recovers, jokingly adding that this won’t apply to the Prime Minister’s pay because “there is no salary.”
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