Malaysia PM Anwar’s first Cabinet reshuffle sees newcomer Amir Hamzah Azizan named his deputy in finance ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (Dec 12) saw the introduction of a new face to help helm the finance ministry, even as several other familiar faces returned to the line-up and others were dropped or had their portfolios switched.

Among the notable changes, chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Amir Hamzah Azizan was appointed second finance minister, edging out other names such as United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) veteran Johari Abdul Ghani that had been touted for the role.

Mr Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio.

Mr Amir, who is the eldest son of the former Petronas chairman and president Azizan Zainul Abidin, is a political newcomer. He was sworn in as senator early on Tuesday so that he is able to take up his role at the finance ministry.

Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) politician Dzulkefly Ahmad will assume the post of health minister, replacing Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Dr Zaliha will instead helm the Federal Territories Ministry, which has been recreated after it was administratively restructured under the Prime Minister’s Office after the last general election.

The changes, which is Mr Anwar’s first leadership reshuffle since taking power a year ago, were announced by the prime minister on Tuesday.

Dr Dzulkefly, a veteran toxicologist, was a popular figure when he was health minister under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad between 2018 and 2020. He led Malaysia’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic before the PH government fell following the Sheraton Move.