New team to boost public and foreign confidence

Smart move: Veteran political players say Anwar’s new reshuffled team is a strategic move. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The just-unveiled Cabinet line-up will bolster confidence among Malaysians and foreign investors, say veteran political players.

Former law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz described the appointment of Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as the unity government’s new Second Finance Minister as well as the separation of the former Communications and Digital Ministry into two ministries as strategic moves by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the appointment of a technocrat like Amir Hamzah would provide a shot in the arm that would boost confidence among the public and investors, given his good track record as the chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

“It shows Anwar (who is also Finance Minister) is serious about addressing economic issues and did not allow himself to be pressured into making a political appointment for such an important post.

“We know Amir’s performance and achievements in EPF and previous positions. Since he is a technocrat, a professional and ‘partyless’, he won’t feel political pressure and can just focus on his job,” said Nazri, currently Malaysia’s Ambassador to the United States.

On the move to split the Communications and Digital Ministry into two, Nazri said Fahmi Fadzil, who is also PKR information chief, can now focus on communications alone.

“This is an important task because the achievements of the government must be relayed to the public effectively.

“During Anwar’s recent visit to San Francisco, he met with several technology companies because he is serious about bringing in more investments to Malaysia, so I was not surprised by the split of the two ministries,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said Anwar will now have more time to focus on his duties as Prime Minister and added that he believed the new Cabinet will perform better.

“The new Cabinet also has a good combination of experienced individuals and technocrats,” he said.

Amanah communications director Khalid Samad welcomed the return of the Federal Territories portfolio under the Prime Minister’s Department, saying it will ensure the well-being of residents of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Khalid, who was the Federal Territories Minister under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, said although each of the territories has its own local authority, it is inadequate to cater to the demands of all residents there.

“Labuan, especially, will be left behind because ministers go to Putrajaya all the time and Kuala Lumpur is the country’s capital city.

“I welcome the appointment of the Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa because someone with ministerial powers needs to oversee the three federal territories,” he said.

On the comeback of his party colleague Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as the Health Minister, Khalid said the appointment proved that Anwar is listening to sentiments on the ground.

“We saw how Dr Dzul handled the Covid-19 outbreak before he had to step down due to the Sheraton Move and the people have been saying they want him back.

“Also, with 18 parties in the unity government, Anwar managed to keep his Cabinet to only 31 portfolios while creating and splitting some portfolios to ensure their effectiveness,” he added.

Former home minister and foreign minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said Anwar’s new and reshuffled team shows he is sensitive to public comments, especially in relieving himself of the Federal Territories portfolio as well as having good support in the Finance Ministry.

Reshuffling the Cabinet after one year in office, he added, also shows that Anwar is realistic and open to making changes and improvements.

“Reappointing Dr Dzulkefly as Health Minister, bringing Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to the Cabinet, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan switching to Foreign Affairs and Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin heading to Defence Ministry can be regarded as a good move.

“These are good indicators of the Prime Minister having consolidated his political position.

“The rakyat have high expectations of the implementation of policies that will benefit them,” he said.