Returning ministers have work cut out for them

Continuing where he left off: Dr Dzulkefly speaking to the press outside the National Palace yesterday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: For one minister, his return will allow him to continue with unfinished health reforms.

For another, it will mean thinking outside the box when it comes to managing the country’s important commodity sector.

As for one who was transferred to another portfolio, he hopes to build on the work of his predecessor and take the ministry to greater heights.

These were among the reactions of former ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Gobind Singh Deo on returning to public office in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s new Cabinet.

Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, meanwhile was made a permanent minister at the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry after overseeing the post in an acting capacity since July.

For Dr Dzulkefly, his return would allow him to focus on health financing reform, fixing weaknesses in public hospitals and improving the welfare of healthcare workers.

“I hope to continue with the reforms I started especially digital health transformation and health financing reform,” he said after taking his oath of office at Istana Negara yesterday.

Dr Dzulkefly was Health Minister during Pakatan Harapan’s administration between 2018 and 2020.

“I’m also aware of the need to (address) ‘firefighting issues’. This includes acute care in hospitals, patient care, and most importantly to handle the welfare of contract doctors and other healthcare workers,” he added.

Dr Dzulkefly said he would also emphasise on preventive care, wellness and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout his tenure.

“I will explain more about my plans in the next few days,” he added.

For Johari, who is the new Plantations and Commodities Minister, his new post would require out-of-the-box ideas.

“The commodities industry contributes nearly 50% to the agriculture sector. So, there’s many things that we need to look into,” he said while pointing out that agriculture itself contributes 8.9% of the nation’s economic output or GDP.

“It might require out-of-the-box thinking. There are a lot of things I will share regarding this ministry,” said Johari.

From what was supposed to be a “one-or-two month stint”, Armizan was eventually made the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister permanently.

“I am rather shocked by the appointment. The Prime Minister, when asking me to become the acting minister had specifically told me that this was only temporary and for just a month or two.

“This is a heavy and challenging task which I will shoulder. But I am confident with the team at the ministry, we can carry out the tasks that this ministry is supposed to do,” he said.

Armizan was appointed acting minister following the demise of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July.

He was formerly the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister as well as Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

The 47-year-old Sabahan said his plans encompassed ensuring that the ministry performs its three functions well, namely to create a progressive domestic trade environment, to empower consumers and to bring down the cost of living.

“Enforcement is one of the main keys of the ministry which I will focus on to effectively tackle subsidy leakages and to stop cartel activities,” he said, adding that he will continue with the ministry’s Rahmah initiatives.

Gobind, who heads the new Digital Ministry, said that the administration wants to ensure Malaysia benefits fully from digital technology.

“There will be big challenges and we must ensure that Malaysia is ready to face these challenges in the digital era.

“We must also ensure that Malaysians can fully utilise technology to ensure a better future,” said Gobind in a press conference.

Welcoming her move from the Health Ministry to helm the Federal Territories portfolio, Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she would fulfil her responsibilities in line with the aspirations of the unity government.

“I will reward the Prime Minister’s faith in me by fulfilling initiatives to develop and ensure that the federal territories are prosperous in their social, economic and community aspects,” she said in a statement.