PUTRAJAYA, Dec 17 — The recent Cabinet reshuffle was a deliberate move towards leadership regeneration, placing greater emphasis on younger leaders while ensuring political stability within the unity government.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that several newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers were from the second and third generation of leadership, mostly in their 30s and 40s, with some even younger.
He said new appointees are mostly younger, like Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
“I think it’s time we project this. I was not able to do that initially because we wanted to ensure the coalition was fortified and consolidated, but now, I think we are strong, so let them (young leaders) have their chance,” he said at a briefing session with editors-in-chief of local and international media here today.
Yesterday, Anwar announced a Cabinet reshuffle involving 28 ministers and deputy ministers, which included portfolio changes and new appointments as part of a restructuring effort to strengthen administrative efficiency and ensure more effective implementation of government policies.
Anwar said the first Cabinet meeting today after the reshuffle was marked by a sense of humility, with the government acknowledging its weaknesses and recognising growing public expectations for improvement.
“Having said that, am I fully satisfied with the performance? They can ask about me too. I also have my limitations. Given a chance, if I had full authority, I would certainly do it differently, but I am in a coalition.
“I want to make sure the government is stable,” he said.
Asked about his expectations of the new Cabinet, Anwar said he wants ministers and deputy ministers to perform better.
“For 2025, the reminder to ministers is to listen to the people, and if the issues raised are reasonable, try to resolve them. Let the ministers project a more courteous image. Listen carefully and strive to improve our performance. That was the advice I gave them this afternoon,” he said.
Anwar said that after three years in government, the administration must move more swiftly and implement reforms more effectively, in line with public expectations.
“People expect that. People say the first year is stability, the second year you start reforms, the third year, now, we expect you to do more,” he said.
Commenting on the omission of a few senior ministers from his newly formed Cabinet, Anwar said it was time for them (Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa) to serve in other capacities.
He said that Na’im, who was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) and Dr Zaliha, who was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), had both done their best.
Anwar added that Dr Zaliha not only has a strong presence in Parti Keadilan Rakyat, but also effectively managed issues under her portfolio.
Commenting on the appointment of Hannah Yeoh as Federal Territories minister, he said the move was intended to ensure the public service works for all races, adding that rejecting someone based on skin colour or ethnic background is inappropriate.
“When the Federal Territories minister was appointed, allegations arose that the appointment of a non-Malay minister would marginalise Malays.
“The reality is that civil servants, including department directors and government officers, function as a team to serve all races,” he said.
When asked if he is ready to call a general election next year, given Malaysia’s strong economic indicators, he said it is not currently a priority.
“The elections, we still have a long way to go. I have not thought about elections. I am now focusing on how we continue to implement reforms and alleviate the problems faced by the rakyat, particularly with the higher cost of living.”
These, Anwar said, would be the two main priorities next year, adding that while conditions are relatively better now, they are expected to improve.
