Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim Rules Out Major Cabinet Shake-Up

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia announced on December 1, 2023, that a major reshuffle of his Cabinet is not anticipated, despite the necessity to address vacancies resulting from recent ministerial resignations. Three ministers have stepped down, and an additional minister’s term as a senator will conclude shortly, prompting discussions on potential replacements.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar stated, “This Cabinet will only function for a year plus, a year and a half, so I don’t think a major reshuffle is needed.” He also mentioned that he has convened the full Cabinet to determine the next steps regarding these vacancies, highlighting the urgency to fill key positions.

The upcoming general election in Malaysia, scheduled for February 2028, has stirred speculation about possible changes within the Cabinet. One notable departure is Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, whose tenure as a senator is set to end on December 3, 2023. His exit raises questions about the future direction of the ministry and the government as a whole.

The recent state election in Sabah has further complicated the political landscape. The ruling coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), faced significant setbacks, securing only one out of 22 contested seats. In contrast, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition won 29 seats, surpassing the 25 won by its competitor, Warisan. Despite its poor performance, PH is expected to remain part of the new state government led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. This situation has led to speculation about possible negotiations for federal ministerial positions.

Another key factor contributing to the Cabinet vacancies is the resignation of Ewon Benedick, who stepped down as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives in November. His departure stemmed from disagreements with the federal government concerning Sabah’s allocation of federal net revenue.

In terms of ministerial qualifications, it is essential that a minister is either an elected member of parliament or an appointed senator. Tengku Zafrul has served in the Senate since 2020, holding his ministerial role for the maximum two terms allowed.

On the day of his resignation, Tengku Zafrul expressed uncertainty about his future role, stating, “It seems like I have been given another opportunity to continue serving but in what capacity I do not know and I am still waiting.” Anwar confirmed that he would provide an update on Tengku Zafrul’s new position on December 3, 2023.

Aside from Ewon’s resignation, two other ministerial positions remain unfilled. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability lost their leaders after Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned in May following party election defeats within the Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

The political dynamics within Malaysia continue to evolve, especially with parties like the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) shifting alliances. Following Ewon’s resignation, UPKO left PH but subsequently joined GRS and PH in forming the new state government led by Hajiji.

As the political landscape shifts, the focus now turns to how Anwar will navigate these vacancies and the implications for his administration moving forward.