KUALA LUMPUR: The second Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday has been described as a clear signal to members of the administration to enhance efficiency in the implementation of MADANI Government policies.
Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the reshuffle showed that Anwar wants his administration to be more pragmatic and delivery-driven in the remaining two years of the current government’s term.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences lecturer said three critical areas — cost of living, investment inflows and public confidence — appeared to be the prime minister’s main focus in strengthening the country’s leadership line-up.
“The portfolio changes involving ministers and deputy ministers reflect a ‘right person, right task’ approach, not merely to address performance gaps but to refresh strategic ministries and optimise individual strengths without a drastic overhaul,” he told Bernama today.
Commenting on the surprise appointment of Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari as Youth and Sports Minister, Sivamurugan said it represented an early bet on new talent, particularly someone known for being outspoken in the Dewan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, UiTM Kedah Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies senior lecturer Dr Jazimin Zakaria said newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers must quickly adapt to their new responsibilities.
“With only about two years left in the current administration, this is not the time for experimentation,” he said, adding that the reshuffle also aimed to strengthen cooperation among parties within the MADANI Government coalition.
At the same time, UiTM Seremban senior lecturer in political science Shahidah Abdul Razak said the reshuffle could be seen as a strategic adjustment by the prime minister as the MADANI Government enters a new phase.
“It reflects a performance-oriented governance approach, with portfolio placements increasingly based on technocratic capability, managerial experience and policy suitability rather than party political considerations.
“The inclusion of new faces brings meaningful political regeneration, signalling the government’s awareness of the need to build a leadership pipeline and inject fresh ideas into policy-making,” she said.
Another UiTM senior lecturer, Dr Mazlan Che Soh, said delivery performance, decision-making efficiency and the ability to work across ministries would be the key benchmarks for all newly appointed members of the administration.
With only about two years remaining before the next general election, he said an effective Cabinet is crucial to ensure national strategic planning, including the implementation and rollout of initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan, can be carried out effectively.
Yesterday, the prime minister announced a MADANI Government Cabinet reshuffle involving 28 ministers and deputy ministers, comprising portfolio changes and new appointments, as part of a restructuring exercise to strengthen administrative efficiency and ensure more effective policy execution.
In addition to portfolio changes involving existing ministers, the reshuffle also involved six deputy ministers and one new face elevated to a full ministerial position.
The first Cabinet reshuffle under Anwar’s Unity Government was carried out in December 2023.
