Anwar reshuffles Cabinet after rout in Sabah state polls, injecting fresh faces

Analysts see new line-up as strategic move to appeal to PH's voter base and Sabahans

- Lu Wei Hoong

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a major Cabinet reshuffle on Dec 16, as he looks to shore up the unity government and consolidate his position ahead of the next general election after the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition had a disastrous outing at the recent Sabah state election.

Key appointments among the more than 25 changes announced were Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani - a seasoned UMNO leader and former second finance minister - as the new investment, trade and industry minister; and Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Akmal Nasir as economy minister.

In addition, Democratic Action Party's (DAP) Steven Sim was named minister for entrepreneur development and cooperatives, and Ms Hannah Yeoh as federal territories minister.

Among other appointments were Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup of the United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) - a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition - as natural resources and environmental sustainability minister; and PKR vice-president R. Ramanan as human resources minister.

BN, led by UMNO, is a key partner in Datuk Seri Anwar's multi-coalition government.

Two incumbent ministers were dropped: federal territories minister Zaliha Mustafa and Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Islamic religious affairs.

There are 35 Cabinet-level ministerial posts in total, as well as 30 deputy minister positions.

This rejig may well be the last Cabinet reshuffle by Mr Anwar to strengthen his coalition's lineup before the next general election (GE16), which must happen by early 2028, after PH took a beating at the Sabah polls, analysts say.