It won’t be a mini Cabinet reshuffle

IT is puzzling that Khairy Jamaluddin’s name keeps popping up in the impending Cabinet reshuffle.

There have been accounts about him making his way back to Umno and into the Cabinet. The narrative that made headlines claimed it was a done deal and that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had given the nod.

Another account had the Prime Minister inviting Khairy to join PKR and possibly joining the government.

When asked about it, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reacted with his trademark wit: "Is that so? Who told you?"

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi poured cold water on the story, saying they ran into each other at a wedding dinner and that it was merely a social encounter.

So were all those accounts fantasy stories? Is there some lobbying campaign by his supporters to help him find his way back to Umno?

Well, it’s not happening yet although Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Alwi Che Ahmad said that in politics, doors are never permanently shut.

"If you don’t close the door, dogs and cats will come in. The door may be shut but it is not locked forever. Many of us are waiting for Khairy to appeal his sacking.

"My advice is not to make it about a government post. Return without conditions and what will be, will be," said Alwi who was a former political secretary to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and who has a soft spot for Khairy.

Anwar’s focus is currently on the Sabah elections but those around him are watching for hints on who could be in, who may be moved around and also who might be dropped.

Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation as Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister added to the vacancies created by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The senatorships of four ministers will also end in December, with Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz calling it a day as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry when his second term as senator expires.

Three other ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (Higher Education), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail Home) and Datuk Seri Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (PM’s Department), have another term as senators.

In short, there are four openings in the Cabinet.

Zambry was not taking anything for granted. At a Putrajaya event attended by Anwar, Zambry alluded to a Cabinet reshuffle in "two or three weeks time" and expressed hope that policies in his ministry’s policies will not be affected even if the minister goes.

Murmurs rippled through the audience, the Prime Minister broke into a wide grin and gave a thumbs-up.

"I was not making any prediction, it is the prerogative of the PM. Where Umno’s representation is concerned, it is up to my president," said Zambry.

Even close aides and PKR politicians seem unable to second-guess Anwar.

"He is keeping it close to his chest but we know he needs people who can deliver so that reforms can bear fruit and he can go for another term," said Selangor state executive councillor Dr Fahmi Ngah.

The coalition’s power sharing arrangement means that two of the vacancies will go to PKR, and one each to Umno and a Sabah partner.

The chatter is that Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari may be moved to Putrajaya although he has told more than a few people that he would like to go a full term in Selangor. There is also speculation that he may replace Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek whose approval rating is on a downward spiral.

"The MB is one of the most experienced politicians in PKR. Should he move up, he will be bringing his experience with him," said Dr Fahmi.

Amirudin, said Kota Anggerik assemblyman Najwan Halimi, has served over seven years as Mentri Besar without controversy.

PKR is struggling with suitable candidates and some in the party think Nurul Izzah Anwar should get a shot at a government post.

"Let her have the chance to shine. Our party picked her as our deputy president, we should have no problem having her in the government," said Najwan who is also Selangor state executive councillor.

Like Khairy, Nurul Izzah has had an uneven political career. Their family ties open doors and also draw resentment but they are personalities who stand out.

PKR is not short of well-educated people but they lack people with experience in governance.

Anwar needs experienced hands who can hit the ground running and more important, people whom the business community has confidence in.

This government has been weighed down by an endless array of issues but it will be economic issues that will decide the fate of the unity government.

The fact that the ministries previously held by Rafizi and Nik Nazmi have been left vacant for months without dire consequences suggests that they are less than important.

But filling the International Trade and Industry Ministry post with a competent personality will signal how serious Anwar is about investment, trade and the economy.

There are concerns the new MITI minister will be just a figurehead with Tengku Zafrul offering to be an advisor to the ministry.

Is that going to work? What sort of message will that send to industry players, especially investors? Is the unity government that short of talent?

Umno insists the portfolio should go to one of its own and it is no secret that the party sees its vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Ghani as the one for the job.

Johari is a brilliant man who understands economic issues but has not been allowed to show his full potential. The impression is that he is seen as a threat by his own party leaders.

Anwar should set aside politics and be bold in selecting the best and the brightest to help him achieve his goal of a second term.

Prime Ministers rarely like to switch ministers around midterm because it can be disruptive but if he needs to do that, then he should do it.

The next two years will go by in a flash and the Prime Minister should use the Cabinet reshuffle to his full advantage.