SHAH ALAM, Dec 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the second shake-up of his ministerial line-up, which features Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir as the Economy Minister, replacing the vacant position previously held by Rafizi Ramli.
The reshuffle also sees Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as the Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) Minister, succeeding Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in that post.
Previously, Akmal was the Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) Minister Deputy Minister, while Johari served as the Plantation and Commodities (KPK) Minister.
Anwar also announced the formation of the new Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) portfolio, with Datuk Mustapha Sakmud appointed to it.
“As many are aware, there are several vacancies within the Cabinet, and there is a need to make some adjustments to ensure that it is a Cabinet that functions as a cohesive team, with a focus on generating more robust economic growth and addressing the people’s concerns,” he said.
The much-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, which Anwar had previously said would be “minor”, was prompted by vacancies in several ministries: the Economy Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, and Miti.
He added that the swearing-in ceremony will be held at 10am tomorrow at Istana Negara, with the Cabinet meeting with the new line-up to proceed at 2.30pm on the same day.
Among the key portfolio changes include Liew Ching Tong (previously Miti Deputy Minister), as Deputy Finance Minister, replacing Lim Hui Ying, who is reassigned as Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister; Hannah Yeoh (previously Youth and Sports or KBS Minister), as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), replacing Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Adam Adli Abd Halim (previously KBS Deputy Minister) as Higher Education Deputy Minister, which Mustapha previously helmed.
Other switch-ups made in the Cabinet announced were:
Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad as Petra Deputy Minister, replacing Akmal.
Chang Foong Hin as Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister, previously helmed by Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is now appointed as NRES Minister
Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni (previously Deputy Health Minister) as Deputy Foreign Minister, replacing Datuk Mohamad Alamin, who takes over as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister.
Datuk Hanifah Taib (previously Deputy Economy Minister) as Deputy Health Minister.
Steven Sim Chee Keong (previously Human Resources or MOHR Minister) as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, succeeding Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The new appointments announced are:
Datuk Lo Su Fui as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories).
Zulkifli Hasan as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).
Marhamah Rosli as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).
Chiew Choong Man as Tourism, Arts, and Culture Deputy Minister, replacing Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, who takes over as MOHR Deputy Minister.
Yuneswaran Ramaraj as National Unity Deputy Minister, replacing Saraswathy Kandasami.
Sim Tze Sin as Miti Deputy Minister.
Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah as Deputy Economy Minister, replacing Datuk Hanifah Taib.
Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh as NRES Deputy Minister, replacing Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, who takes over as KPK Deputy Minister.
Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad as KPK Minister.
Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan as MOHR Minister.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari as KBS Minister.
Mordi Bimol as KBS Deputy Minister.
