COMMENT In my scepticism, I was trying to be upbeat about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s cabinet reshuffle, but it looks like it is one big disappointment to many, myself included.

The question now is whether this same team will be leading Malaysia into the next general election. If yes, I would give them the salute!

I think we have the right ingredients that will make life more fun in the next 24 months, before the next general election which has to be called by August 2018.

Before the end of yesterday after the cabinet reshuffle was announced, we already hear the former urban well-being, housing and local government minister, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, saying: “I believe economic issues will play a crucial role in determining the votes in the upcoming 14th general election.”

Rahman, who is currently replacing Abdul Wahid Omar as the minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), will try to “bring the EPU closer to the rakyat - programmes that make the EPU more understood and appreciated by the ordinary people".

Compared to Wahid, who is a qualified professional accountant with many years in senior corporate positions, Rahman is a graduate from Sonoma State University, with a basic degree in economics and management.

Najib’s own brother, Nazir Abdul Razak, would have made a better minister in charge of EPU, if Najib is serious about priming up the already sluggish economy.

We all will be interested to know what Rahman Dahlan will dish out to the ordinary Malaysian public about his views on the country’s economy and the viability of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

I guess the circus is on, but as for Najib, I think he has the best candidate for the job since the EPU is one big pie.

Rewarding Selangor Umno

Not to mention, when Rahman was in the urban well-being, housing and local government ministry, none of our pockets got deeper.

Instead, we have been saddled with goods and services taxes (GST) since April 1, 2015. During his tenure as minister, Rahman did not implement what the government had promised housebuyers on implementing the ‘build-then-sell’ (BTS) concept.

This, of course, has irked the Housebuyers’ Association which had believed the promise made by a former MCA minister that the BTS would be implemented. The question is whether the new housing minister, Noh Omar, will put his focus on BTS, or like the other ministers, he will be another ‘come-and-go’ minister with absolutely nothing to show except polemics in the political sphere.

We all know Noh, who helms Selangor Umno and prior to being dropped from the cabinet after the GE13, was agriculture and agro-based industries minister.

Like Adnan Yaakob (Pahang Menteri Besar), he, too, has made a lot of remarks in the past that irked many of us watching his antics, and Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim had in fact implicated Noh in the prawn farm scandal.

Noh’s appointment is likely to be due to Umno’s thumping success in the recent by-election in Sungai Besar to the point that even Gerakan’s president Mah Siew Keong has suggested that if GE14 were to be held next year it would ensure Barisan Nasional a big win.

I try to be upbeat like Mah, but sadly, it is nothing but ‘syiok sendiri’ for BN in the last twin by-elections. The reality is that Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar were traditionally Umno and rural seats.

After all, they were by-elections that would not change the government of the day, and young voters were not coming back to the two constituencies.

Three ministers dropped

Three ministers who were dropped were worth noting, while others like Azalina Othman Said, Salleh Said Keruak, Rahman Dahlan and Ismail Sabri Yaakob are retained.

I had mentioned about Wahid Omar in my earlier article which I believe is linked to the 1MDB scandal more than anything.

Speaking to CNBC earlier this year, Wahid is likely to be unhappy with the way how the scandal develops, and now, with more truths being bared, it is unlikely that Wahid would continue the term even if he had been offered to consider it.

Unlike the ‘divinely appointed’ Paul Low, Idris Jala is not a man who would compromise on his principles. He does not depend on the ministerial position to boost his personal ego, and it is likely that since his contract was not renewed, he took it in good stride.

The third minister is Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, who resigned from his post as second finance minister. In the past, Ahmad Husni had been placed in some very awkward situations where he had to explain the 1MDB scandal on behalf of Najib.

Not many people would like to clean up the mess once you have created it, but in the case of a cabinet minister, this is part of the portfolio which someone like Ahmad Husni would not be too keen to undertake.

Ahmad Husni has, in fact, quit his Umno posts, making it likely that he may soon exit Umno. However, Ahmad Husni could not be contacted to confirm his current status.

For now, Malaysians have to sit tight and fasten their seat belts, for the circus days ahead are about to begin with the new cabinet line-up, whose job now is to protect Najib against the ‘1Emdeebee’ scandal.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.

Related reports

Tambun Umno seeks Husni’s explanation on resignation

PM Dept reshuffle: Azalina poised to take over law portfolio?

Cabinet reshuffle disappoints Sarawak leaders

Ministers, deputy ministers sworn in before Agong

Zaid asks Husni to join Save Malaysia movement

Mahfuz: Did Husni, Wahid run away from 1MDB scandal?

Cabinet reshuffle one big disappointment

Noh returns in cabinet reshuffle; cops on the spot over 'kafir harbi'