Unity Cabinet: 2 DPMs, 14 new faces
Ahmad Zahid, Fadillah appointed deputy prime ministers, Anwar helms Finance Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken the unprecedented step of appointing two deputy prime ministers, one of whom is from Sarawak, in his new unity government Cabinet.
Anwar himself is the Finance Minister in the 28-member Cabinet, which was unveiled at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya last night.
Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development.
The other Deputy Prime Minister is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is representing Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). He is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister.
The announcement of the Cabinet line-up was broadcast live at 8.20pm through local television stations and social media platforms. It was also a ended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
The 28 ministers announced were four fewer than the previous administrations of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, although more than the 25 Anwar had targeted.
Anwar in his address also said the deputy ministers will be named at a later date.
The swearing-in of Cabinet members will take place at 3pm today.
The prime minister also said he was disinclined to hold the Finance portfolio but had to adopt an approach to restore confidence in the economy as well as among the business community and foreign investors.
“I think for this initial stage, let me continue (with being Finance Minister),” he said, adding that his duties at the ministry will be assisted by a formidable team comprising the Treasury secretary-general, civil servants as well as advisors who will not be a burden on government finances.
He said ma ers involving the Finance Ministry will be assisted by several advisors led by Petronas advisor Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican, all of whom will be on board without remuneration.
Among the 14 new faces in Anwar’s Cabinet are PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli (Economy) and PKR vice-presidents Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change) and Chang Lih Kang (Science and Technology).
PKR Information chief Fahmi Fadzil was given the Communications and Digital portfolio; PKR Women chief Fadhlina Sidek (Education); Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan (Defence); DAP Perak chairman Nga Kor Ming (Local Government Development); PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Tourism); Datuk Ewon Benedick (Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives); and Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak).
Former finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Aziz was appointed International Trade and Industry Minister; Sekinjang MP Dr Zaliha Mustafa (Health Minister); and Syarie chief judge Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (Religious Affairs).
Five Sarawak MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak were made ministers, along with two Sabah MPs – one each from Pakatan Harapan and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.