“Will DAP Now Control The Economy?!!” - Zaid And PAS Slam Anwar's Cabinet Appointments…!!

OPINION | “Will DAP Now Control The Economy?!!” - Zaid And PAS Slam Anwar's Cabinet Appointments…!!


22 Dec 2025 • 12:00 PM MYT


JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour

Credit Image: Focus Malaysia / Malay Mail (Picture by Choo Choy May) / The Malay Mail (Picture by Raymond Manuel)


A prominent lawyer and podcaster has gone ballistic after the announcement of the latest cabinet reshuffle; but is all the “fire and fury” truly justified?


Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has always been known as a straight-talking person, with a dash of eccentricity; and he proved that once again by making his feelings known, in no uncertain terms, after PMX had announced his reshuffled Cabinet last Tuesday (Dec 16)!


He seemed annoyed that key economic and business-related portfolios were allegedly given to the DAP; in fact, he concluded that even the finance portfolio under Anwar is just as good as under the party – with Liew Chin Tong as a deputy.


But isn't DAP the largest component party in Pakatan Harapan, contributing 40 MPs to the ruling coalition?


The vocal lawyer then went on to lambast PMX for the transport and logistics portfolio which he claimed has been leased back to Anthony Loke, with Steven Sim overseeing small businesses and Gobind Singh having control over the digital portfolio.


Zaid also appeared unhappy that Hannah Yeoh had landed the coveted Federal Territories portfolio while Nga Kor Ming was allowed to hold on to the powerful local government authority.


Having said that, the outspoken ex-lawmaker seemed even more upset with UMNO, going on to paint them as eunuchs unashamed of themselves – even worse than puppets!


Zaid: “UMNO worse that puppets in Madani!” But is that really true?


The former Kota Bharu MP also seemed to take umbrage at those Malay groups who were preoccupied with passing a law mandating the country's prime minister to be a Malay; but according to him, the truth is, they already have one PM and two deputy PMs who are all Malay!!


He then signed off by lamenting: When will they ever learn? When will they wake up?


But did Zaid somehow overlook the fact that Johari Ghani from UMNO was appointed to head the “glamorous” ministry of investment, trade and industry left vacant by Tengku Zafrul?


In fact, the party's women's wing chief Dr Noraini Ahmad was also promoted to be the new minister of plantations and commodities; incidentally, from a broader political perspective, wouldn't those two appointments be a win-win situation for both UMNO and PMX?


Meanwhile, PAS also appeared to echo Zaid’s sentiments with its secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan coming in for a barrage of criticism for allegedly trying to play on racial sentiments following the appointment of two Chinese politicians to “control” the Federal Territories ministry.


Seriously, at this rate, can they still expect the Chinese community to vote for PN?


Most importantly though, didn't the appointments receive the blessings of the Agong Sultan Ibrahim who went on to remind the new ministers and deputies to prioritize the well-being of the people, national stability and economic prosperity in line with the principles of good governance? Did the no-nonsense king ever voice any objection?

Source: News headline and image from The Vibes dated 17 December 2025.


While Zaid and PAS have continued to slam Anwar, is it not the latter's prerogative as the prime minister to make cabinet appointments?


For the record, PMX had undertaken the recent cabinet reshuffle following months of mounting political pressure on his government, sparked by his close allies’ resignations, party in-fightng and the never-ending cost of living concerns; in short, it was designed to bring some stability to the unity government given the bashing it has been receiving of late!


Furthermore, there have been some high profile resignations with economy minister Rafizi Ramli and environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, both prominent figures from Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat, quitting within hours of each other – after they had lost in a party election last June.


MIC left to eat humble pie?


Interestingly, R Ramanan, another fast rising PKR stalwart who was previously the treasurer-general of MIC was also promoted to a full minister to head the Human Resources ministry; no doubt, it's a move that detractors may claim is mere optics aimed at assuaging certain sections of the Indian community as previously it was under MIC strongman M Saravanan.

Former MIC stalwart R Ramanan. Credit Image: Focus Malaysia


Perhaps, renowned analyst Prof James Chin may have summed it up well when he said that “cabinet reshuffle is always about strengthening your programmes, delivering to the people, so you have something to show at the next general election.”


No doubt, he is right as elections will be coming up fast and furious in the country, starting with the state polls in Melaka, Johor and Sarawak – all most likely to be held by the end of next year.


In conclusion, maybe the shrewd Anwar is playing his cards well by keeping the Chinese and Indian communities in mind in this latest cabinet reshuffle; in fact, it was probably an “election cabinet” after all and part of a broader political strategy with GE16 looming! Is that why Zaid and PAS have gone berserk by picking on the DAP and harping on their favourite “2R” topic instead of over policies and governance?


Notes to Ponder: In a subsequent post on his popular X account, Zaid had pointed out that he and others should not be called racists but true Malaysian patriots; according to him, this is because DAP has not been fair to other communities in helping their economic difficulties. Did he forget about MCA during BN rule?


Main information source: Zaid Ibrahim X, SCMP, Business Today, NST, Malaysiakini and The Edge.