Malaysia PM Anwar’s cabinet reshuffle brings in 5 new faces, shakes up administration
- The changes increase the total number of ministers from 28 to 31, including a new finance minister
- Anwar Ibrahim said the cabinet readjustment was necessary due to the changing situation, including economic and international factors
The five new ministers and deputy ministers will be in charge of the health, human resources, plantations and commodities, and digital portfolios. One new minister will also assist Anwar at the Finance Ministry.
My personal view is that the ministry of finance … must have a strong professional team so that we are on the right track
The new second finance minister is CEO of Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund, Amir Hamzah Azizan, who has no prior political experience but has worked for over 25 years at national energy company Tenaga Nasional, Petronas and Shell among others.
“My personal view is that the ministry of finance, other than [being] headed by me, must have a strong professional team so that we are on the right track and not pressured and sidelined by political pressures,” Anwar said.
Speaking at a special press conference on Tuesday to announce the new line-up, Anwar said that after his first year in office, there was a need to readjust his cabinet.
“Situations change, not just looking at past performance but due to economic growth and the cost of living that needs to be managed well, and also international acceptance,” he said.