Anwar’s Cabinet changes aim to avoid ‘rocking the boat’ among coalition partners ahead of next GE

EYE ON NEXT GE

Analysts said that the inclusion of three new politicians from Borneo was a move by Anwar to shore up support from Sabah and Sarawak following PH’s dismal showing in the recent Sabah polls.

The new additions to the Cabinet include two from Sarawak and one from Sabah. 

They are PKR’s Miri Member of Parliament Chiew Choon Man as deputy minister for tourism, arts and culture, DAP’s Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol as deputy youth and sports minister as well as GRS’ Tawau MP Lo Su Fui as deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).

“Major winners who have made big gains from the reshuffle were Sabah and Sarawak,” said Chin. 

Analysts said that given this Cabinet reshuffle is likely to be the final round of major changes before the next GE, Anwar’s overall strategy is to maintain the status quo while taking calculated risks in testing out younger leaders by rotating their portfolios. 

They added that ensuring no component party is disgruntled was pivotal, ahead of the parties jockeying for seats and possibly contesting under a unified umbrella against the Perikatan Nasional opposition coalition.  

Azmi told CNA: “If the component parties in the Madani government are satisfied and can work together and avoid as far as possible multi-cornered fights, this can be a good strategy ahead of the next GE.” 

Syaza added, however, that the Cabinet changes are unlikely to stem dissent from the MCA and MIC, as both have been omitted from any Cabinet appointments despite being in the unity government under the BN coalition with UMNO. 

“I guess MIC and MCA would continue to be unhappy. But it didn’t help that they kept on criticising the government, which would dissuade the prime minister from bringing them into government,” she said. 

Chin added that Anwar’s decision to replace the religious affairs minister – from senator Na’im Mokhtar to senator Zulkifli Hasan – was to appeal to the Malay Muslim electorate, since the former had been a lightning rod for criticism from the biggest opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). 

“Na’im was not moving the needle in helping the Madani government recover support from the Malay voters and PAS is gaining strength, Anwar has to try to win back this support ahead of GE,” he said.

However, he maintained that the focus of the Madani government ahead of the next general polls should be to lean on its strengths, including boosting the economy rather than playing into the hands of the opposition by reacting to them playing on racial and religious sentiments.  

“Overall the changes are minor, not major. It is only a reshuffle, he is not rocking the boat among his fellow allied parties,” said Chin. 

“It is a GE Cabinet because of how close it is to the elections. Now we need to see if this government will deliver – it seems that Anwar’s (best bet) is to focus on strong economic policies since he is losing ground to PAS on issues like religion,” he added.