The stakes are high as Anwar faces make-or-break Cabinet decisions
Over the next two years, Malaysia will move through four major polls - the Melaka, Johor and Sarawak state elections, culminating in the 17th General Election. A weak Cabinet now could cost the Prime Minister dearly later.
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By TASNIM LOKMAN
02 Dec 2025 03:54pm
02 Dec 2025 03:54pm
AS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim prepares to unveil a long-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, this may be the last and most consequential lineup before the country enters a punishing election cycle - one that could determine whether Anwar secures a second term or sees his premiership comes to an end.. Illustration by Nurain Sofia
AS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim prepares to unveil a long-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, this may be the last and most consequential lineup before the country enters a punishing election cycle - one that could determine whether Anwar secures a second term or sees his premiership comes to an end.
Fresh from the Sabah State Polls, the challenges are clear. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah maintained its dominance, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) faced a harsh reality: only one seat out of 22 contested was won, with PKR taking the solitary victory. For Anwar, who wears both the hats of PKR president and PH chairman, the results serve as a stark reminder that political survival will depend on strong leadership, strategic appointments and the ability to inspire confidence among voters.
Over the next two years, Malaysia will move through four major polls - the Melaka, Johor and Sarawak state elections, culminating in the 17th General Election (GE17). A weak Cabinet now could cost Anwar dearly later.
Political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri said Anwar must treat this reshuffle as a strategic reset to restore public confidence, especially at a time when Malaysians have been increasingly frustrated with the rising cost of living and questioning the government’s direction.
“This reshuffle must strengthen the perception that the government is functioning effectively particularly on economic management, cost of living and governance.
“Bringing in technocratic expertise is important," she said.
The International Islamic University lecturer emphasised that political legitimacy was a key ingredient Anwar cannot ignore.
“For me, it is important for him to appoint individuals with an electoral mandate. Ministers who are MPs carry more political legitimacy," she said, adding that appointing new senators, especially high-profile, names simply for the sake of filling seats could backfire among voters seeking leaders who understand the ground.
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But while the public may want more elected representatives in Cabinet, the reality was far more complicated.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Anwar was constrained by a limited pool of suitable candidates within the unity government’s ranks.
"The problem is he doesn’t have many competent and presentable choices within the ranks of MPs who currently support him or are viewed favourably by him,” he said.
This, he said, leaves Anwar with an uncomfortable alternative: tapping into the corporate and professional sectors to appoint technocrats as senators - a move that may bolster administrative performance, but risks weakening the message that elected representatives were capable of serving the people.
“It doesn’t give the sense that ‘your representative can serve you’, especially going into election season,” Oh cautioned.
He added that several current ministers have already drawn criticism for being “not presentable” and that the Prime Minister must avoid repeating such mistakes at a time when the government has been trying to win hearts and minds.
Apart from public perception and competence, Anwar must also maintain political equilibrium within the diverse unity government.
With Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s exit, Barisan Nasional is left with only one ministerial portfolio - a potentially sensitive situation. Any reshuffle that upsets the coalition’s equilibrium risks internal dissatisfaction.
Syaza said in a government built on compromise, every portfolio carries symbolic weight thus why Anwar must therefore juggle public expectations, technocratic needs and coalition sensitivities - all while projecting stability ahead of a string of elections.
Given the shortage of suitable candidates, Oh suggested that Anwar might consider consolidating certain ministries altogether.
"Right now, some ministers are already holding additional portfolios due to the vacancies. Merging ministries could reduce political pressure while maintaining continuity," he said.
With Malaysians struggling with economic pressure and public dissatisfaction simmering, this reshuffle may be Anwar’s last chance to demonstrate that his administration can deliver.
A strong Cabinet could help stabilise his leadership going into GE17.
A weak or uninspired one may deepen the narrative that Anwar has yet to make good on his promises.
Like seriously, what Anwar unveils in the coming days may very well shape his political fate.
But while the public may want more elected representatives in Cabinet, the reality was far more complicated.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Anwar was constrained by a limited pool of suitable candidates within the unity government’s ranks.
"The problem is he doesn’t have many competent and presentable choices within the ranks of MPs who currently support him or are viewed favourably by him,” he said.
This, he said, leaves Anwar with an uncomfortable alternative: tapping into the corporate and professional sectors to appoint technocrats as senators - a move that may bolster administrative performance, but risks weakening the message that elected representatives were capable of serving the people.
“It doesn’t give the sense that ‘your representative can serve you’, especially going into election season,” Oh cautioned.
He added that several current ministers have already drawn criticism for being “not presentable” and that the Prime Minister must avoid repeating such mistakes at a time when the government has been trying to win hearts and minds.
Apart from public perception and competence, Anwar must also maintain political equilibrium within the diverse unity government.
With Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s exit, Barisan Nasional is left with only one ministerial portfolio - a potentially sensitive situation. Any reshuffle that upsets the coalition’s equilibrium risks internal dissatisfaction.
Syaza said in a government built on compromise, every portfolio carries symbolic weight thus why Anwar must therefore juggle public expectations, technocratic needs and coalition sensitivities - all while projecting stability ahead of a string of elections.
Given the shortage of suitable candidates, Oh suggested that Anwar might consider consolidating certain ministries altogether.
"Right now, some ministers are already holding additional portfolios due to the vacancies. Merging ministries could reduce political pressure while maintaining continuity," he said.
With Malaysians struggling with economic pressure and public dissatisfaction simmering, this reshuffle may be Anwar’s last chance to demonstrate that his administration can deliver.
A strong Cabinet could help stabilise his leadership going into GE17.
A weak or uninspired one may deepen the narrative that Anwar has yet to make good on his promises.
Like seriously, what Anwar unveils in the coming days may very well shape his political fate.
