Anwar unveils new cabinet, Sivakumar sole minister casualty

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled his much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle today which witnessed the axing of human resources minister V Sivakumar.

He will be replaced by Steven Sim, who was the deputy finance minister II.

In May, Sivakumar, who is a DAP deputy secretary-general, landed in MACC’s crosshairs over investigations involving the recruitment of foreign workers. Subsequently, five of his officers implicated in the scandal were terminated.

Anwar announced the comeback of several ministers including Dzulkefly Ahmad who has been assigned to his old job as health minister while incumbent Dr Zaliha Mustafa has been redesignated as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).

Johari Abdul Ghani is also back as the new plantation industries and commodities minister.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has been appointed as the new foreign minister replacing Zambry Abdul Kadir. The latter will be taking over the Higher Education Ministry from Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who will now oversee the defence portfolio.

Ministry split

The Communications and Digital Ministry has been split with Fahmi Fadzil as the communications minister and Gobind Singh Deo made the digital minister.

Speaking to reporters, Anwar said he saw a need to split the Communications and Digital Ministry.

"My view is that communication with media and social media is also a challenge and the criticism that has been levied against us is that while some of the policies are impressive, the communications to impart and disseminate this has not been satisfactory so there must be this focus.

"The issue of digital transformation is a major focus of this government. It is challenging and changing,” he said.

“New artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to enhance the understanding of students are issues that must be focused on,” he added.

The prime minister also announced the restructuring of the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry.

It has been split into the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof at the helm and the Natural Resources and Sustainability Ministry which the original environment minister - Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad - will lead.

Fadillah will also hold additional responsibilities for matters pertaining to Sabah and Sarawak.

New face

One new face has entered the cabinet with the appointment of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) CEO Amir Hamzah Azizan as the second finance minister.

Earlier, the technocrat was sworn in as a member of the Dewan Negara.

The premier justified Amir’s appointment, saying the latter had shown enough competence in managing affairs in EPF.

“My personal view and I think I have built this consensus that the Finance Ministry, other than being headed by me, must have a strong professional team to ensure that we are on the right track, focus on the economy and not to be sidelined or deflected by political pressures,” he stressed.

Asked why Dzulkefly was brought back to helm the health portfolio, Anwar said the former’s experience is needed to steer the ministry, which he said was burdened with many problems.

“Some (of the problems) were inherited, some are to fulfil the people’s demands for better healthcare.

“God willing, we hope he (Dzulkefly) can do the job well.”

Other changes

As for deputy minister positions, several shifts have been made as well.

Ramkarpal Singh was replaced by fellow DAP member M Kulasegaran as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department for law and institutional reform.

Ahmad Maslan moved to the deputy works minister post from his deputy finance minister role.

In turn, Lim Hui Ying shifted to the deputy finance minister post from her position as deputy education minister.

Akmal Nasir is the new deputy minister of energy and public works, while Arthur Joseph Kurup is the new deputy minister of agriculture and food security.

READ MORE: Zaliha pledges to further develop federal territories

Pay cut remains

Anwar said there would be no more reshuffles if the ministers and deputy ministers’ performance are satisfactory.

“If there are no new pressures or issues, like digital, I don’t think there should be any changes for us to have a plan for the next four years until (the next) general election.”

The Tambun MP said the 20 percent pay cut for cabinet ministers will still be in place.

“Except for the prime minister, there is no pay cut. Because there is no salary (for the prime minister),” Anwar joked.

After he was sworn in as prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, Anwar said he would not be drawing a salary including as the finance minister.

The cabinet members subsequently said they would take a 20 percent pay cut until the country’s economy improved.

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