PETALING JAYA: All eyes are on the Cabinet member list of the unity government following the appointment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of the country.
On his first day in office, Anwar announced that the Cabinet would be leaner, with ministers receiving reduced salaries.
Speculation is rife that Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) parliamentary chief whip, will be appointed deputy prime minister.
Sources also said the Cabinet is likely to comprise 30% from Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional (20% to 30%), with Sabah, Sarawak and other allies making up the rest of its members.
It is learnt that Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, or Tok Mat, is also a forerunner for the DPM post.
On the campaign trail, Anwar, who is Pakatan’s chairman, said the party would be appointing two DPMs should the coalition win GE15. Its manifesto pledged to appoint one from Peninsular Malaysia and one from East Malaysia.
According to National Professors Council senior fellow Dr Jeniri Amir, Tok Mat is a likely candidate for the post as he is seen as “mature, rational and stable”.
“You need the right people for the right portfolio. Tok Mat is considered a moderate politician who is well liked by the Malays and non-Malays. However, the Cabinet cannot be a quota-based system reflecting the political parties, as technocrats and academicians should also be included to ensure it is balanced.
“With GPS in the picture, Pakatan will have to fulfil what is agreed upon between them. Fadilah is definitely a hardworking minister and perfect for the No.2 position,” he told The Star yesterday.
Political analyst James Chin concurred that Fadilah is suitable for the No.2 position.
“I can say that Fadilah is the most likely candidate for the deputy prime minister post, but Anwar has not stopped building the coalition and, as such, it is too early to predict the Cabinet list. Anwar will have to come up with the list soon, perhaps by Monday, because the stock market opens on Tuesday and it will have an impact.
“We may see some party presidents and deputies being given deputy minister posts because the Cabinet already has PKR and DAP to fill the Chinese and Indian quotas,” said the University of Tasmania’s professor of Asian Studies.
On the Finance Minister post, Chin said Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Ghani and PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli (Pandan MP) are forerunners for the position.
Johari and Rafizi are qualified chartered accountants.
Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb said a lean Cabinet would be a challenge for Anwar due to the number of component parties in the unity government.
He said leaders facing court cases must be excluded from Cabinet posts, and added that “Anwar must give the impression that this government is serious about corruption and reforms”.
Political pundit Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar of the International Islamic University Malaysia said there is likely to be a proportionality of component members in the Cabinet.
He is not ruling out the possibility of a finance minister from Pakatan Harapan.
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change managing director Jalil Rasheed suggested a smaller but more efficient Cabinet without the appointment of deputy ministers.
“If we are going to have two to three Deputy PMs, they should double up as Coordinating Ministers (alongside other senior Ministers) that overlook specific areas like infrastructure, security, national development and the economy.
“Government agencies under each ministry should be examined to determine if they are under the relevant ministries.
“Bring back (the) relevance of the Economic Planning Unit to be a one-stop centre for everything economic development so there’s ownership of all initiatives and tracking/monitoring of projects,” the former CEO of Berjaya Corp and Permodalan Nasional Bhd wrote on his Twitter yesterday.
The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs CEO Tricia Yeoh said Pakatan should remain true to its anti-corruption cause by not appointing those with pending court cases in the Cabinet.
“Ideally, those who are in the court cluster should not be part of the Cabinet,” she said.
“What we want are professionals who have relevant experience backed by relevant qualifications.”
However, Yeoh said a unity government could be confusing as it is important to have an Opposition to ensure checks and balances.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/26/guessing-game-begins-as-anwars-cabinet-takes-shape
Created by savemalaysia | Nov 08, 2024
What are you up to, George/ Tobby?
What is your agenda and motivation to lie about a "New lineup just announced!" ?
Deception is a chargeable offence. Be careful.
"George111
New lineup just announced! So Zahid Hamidi got double reward from Anwar! DPM and another important ministry under Zahid! Where is the reform agenda, totally thrown out!
1 hour ago"
2022-11-28 14:42
George = Tobby with his expertise in ground intelligence should help Pkr lah.
2022-11-28 15:35
I see George deleted his earlier post.
Just a reminder to those who didn't see it.........
George says...."New lineup just announced! So Zahid Hamidi got double reward from Anwar! DPM and another important ministry under Zahid! Where is the reform agenda, totally thrown out! "
Fear of legal action, Georgie boy?
2022-11-28 16:46
LGE is still the best person to helm the Finance Ministry. This can be seen how he managed Penang for 10 years..
2022-11-28 17:06
If LGE is smart, he should come out with a statement he would not accept any government position untill he prove his innocent in his court cases.
2022-11-28 17:39
every person accused of any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty
2022-11-28 18:05
"Posted by Sslee > 29 minutes ago | Report Abuse
If LGE is smart, he should come out with a statement he would not accept any government position untill he prove his innocent in his court cases."
======================
Why should LGE fulfill your desire?
2022-11-28 18:10
many cases are pre-fabricated with selective prosecution against political opponents. Many katak MP also tainted but not pursued
2022-11-28 18:27
If you do not want to see Zahid become DPM then the best way to do it is by LGE declaring he is not taking any government post till he clear his name in the court of law.
2022-11-29 05:30
For the sake of the nation and PH, LGE should stay out of any post, forever.
He has made too many enemies during his tenure as the FM.
He removed all the subsidies from the farmers and the fishermen.
He stopped the grant to Utar,
He increased taxes.
He wants to reduce national debt all in one day.
He should have gone after those allerged to have stolen public money, not innocent rakyat who voted in PH.
2022-11-29 06:09
Whether LGE and Zahid are found guilty or not later but bad perception already existed in the eyes of the public, I don't see inclusion of this two in the cabinet is favourable to the voters in general.
2022-11-29 06:36
We can’t be like Spore to save money. People not happy. Just spend until people tell gov to stop spending lah
2022-11-29 07:40
apprentice For the sake of the nation and PH, LGE should stay out of any post, forever.
He has made too many enemies during his tenure as the FM.
He removed all the subsidies from the farmers and the fishermen.
He stopped the grant to Utar,
He increased taxes.
He wants to reduce national debt all in one day.
He should have gone after those allerged to have stolen public money, not innocent rakyat who voted in PH.
29/11/2022 6:09 AM
You are absolutely right. LGE is not a fit and proper person to hold FM post. Moreover, he is still having criminal charges against him pending trial. In the trial, everything will be exposed. AG Chambers has an unwritten 90% rule that the evidence available must be good enough to have a 90% chance of conviction. What happen if he is appointed as a Minister and get convicted? News paper will report as Malaysian Minister convicted for XXX offences, otherwise will just be reported as Ex-Minister convicted for XXX offences.
2022-11-29 08:03
Most of Malaysians will listen to and respect Nazir. Nazir is pro business and will be good for Malaysia as he did not carried any political baggage.
2022-11-29 12:37
Are DSAI balls are being controlled by nmnor?
Let’s us see in his cabinet portfolios.
nmnor is will switch camp if … not to nmnor liking?
2022-11-29 14:57
DSAI must spend lah. Don’t follow LGE cut here and there.
Last last Bersatu spent and Umno also spent lah to attract Rakyat.
Rakyat are used to getting handouts. Can’t hold back handouts lah.
2022-11-29 17:02
I DO NOT THINK LGE IS GOOD FOR THE FM POST. HE MADE THE BIGGEST AND COSTLIEST MISTAKE BEFORE BY REMOVING THE GST WHICH GST IS CONSIDERED THE BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT TAXING SYSTEM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. YET, AS A FINANCE MINISTER, HE COULD NOT SEE THAT. IF GST IS NO GOOD, WHY THE WHOLE WORLD IS USING IT. THAT INCLUDE CHINA, INDIA AND SINGAPORE. UK HAS BEING USING VAT OR GST FOR 6 DECADES ALREADY.
2022-11-29 17:09
Korrect, spend n ensure there got no leakage / koruption to help the poor rakyat.
2022-11-29 17:14
PH can’t save and make rakyat angry.
Then Bersatu and later Umno came to power to spend what LGE saved last time. Bodoi lah.
2022-11-29 17:14
Spending is not a sin. Just make sure no leaks and corruption only.
And teach the poor to fish on their own later on.
These are the ways to go
2022-11-29 17:18
MALAYSIAN ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AFTER REMOVING THE GST HAS GONE BACK TO THE OLD AND OUTDATED STYLE OF ACCOUNTING.
2022-11-29 17:34
DickyMe
LGE will be Finance Minister. There is no better person than LGE. Whether you like him, you or not, cannot do anything about it.
2022-11-27 18:31