Anwar ignored public call to replace Fadhlina as minister - Rafizi
Published: Dec 20, 2025 11:00 AM
Updated: 2:00 PM
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said the recent cabinet reshuffle failed to resonate with the public as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did not make any changes at the Education Ministry.
In the latest episode of his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast last night, the former economy minister claimed the public was largely focused on whether Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek would be replaced, given the importance of the ministry.
“The one name people were most excited about (to change) and waiting for was Fadhlina… that’s what ordinary, non-partisan people were waiting for.
“Because the education ministry is very important, people don’t even focus that much on who becomes the economy minister,” he said.
Rafizi said since the reshuffle did not involve Fadhlina and left the ministry untouched, it sent a clear signal that the exercise would not have much impact on public perception.
Former minister Rafizi Ramli
“When this reshuffle didn’t involve Fadhlina at all and the Education Ministry wasn’t touched, it automatically became a sign that, from the perspective of ordinary people, this reshuffle won’t have any effect.
“That was the only thing they were focused on,” the Pandan MP said.
According to Rafizi, replacing Fadhlina would have shown Anwar's willingness to listen to public sentiment, despite the education minister's closeness to the prime minister.
“If he replaced Fadhlina, ordinary people would regain respect for him. It would mean he listens and is objective, even though Fadhlina is known to be like his adopted child, the child of his close friend.
“No matter how he defends the education minister, the public message is clear - he is defending her despite that message,” he said
Anwar's latest cabinet lineup - the third since he assumed office in 2020 - saw several ministers swapping portfolios, promotions to full minister, and appointment of new deputy ministers.
“When this reshuffle didn’t involve Fadhlina at all and the Education Ministry wasn’t touched, it automatically became a sign that, from the perspective of ordinary people, this reshuffle won’t have any effect.
“That was the only thing they were focused on,” the Pandan MP said.
According to Rafizi, replacing Fadhlina would have shown Anwar's willingness to listen to public sentiment, despite the education minister's closeness to the prime minister.
“If he replaced Fadhlina, ordinary people would regain respect for him. It would mean he listens and is objective, even though Fadhlina is known to be like his adopted child, the child of his close friend.
“No matter how he defends the education minister, the public message is clear - he is defending her despite that message,” he said
Anwar's latest cabinet lineup - the third since he assumed office in 2020 - saw several ministers swapping portfolios, promotions to full minister, and appointment of new deputy ministers.
Cabinet meeting with the new lineup
Rafizi's former ministry is now helmed by Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir - seen as his protege in PKR - promoted to a full minister after previously serving as deputy energy transition and water transformation minister.
However, Fadhlina was retained as education minister, dashing public expectations of changes at the ministry.
Racial issue
The reshuffle also drew attention after the minister and deputy minister posts in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) were filled by Chinese appointees - Hannah Yeoh and Lo Su Fui.
Among others, PAS and Umno had raised racial concerns regarding the duo's appointment, but Rafizi said that among ordinary Malaysians, issues surrounding the Federal Territories portfolio had evolved beyond the individuals.
“From this reshuffle, the broader issue among ordinary people is (about) the Federal Territories - that’s what’s being played up as a racial issue, when both the minister and deputy minister are not Malay,” he said.
Previously, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, in response to critics, reminded that both Yeoh and Lo are serving under the Prime Minister's Department, overseen directly by the prime minister.
Rafizi's former ministry is now helmed by Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir - seen as his protege in PKR - promoted to a full minister after previously serving as deputy energy transition and water transformation minister.
However, Fadhlina was retained as education minister, dashing public expectations of changes at the ministry.
Racial issue
The reshuffle also drew attention after the minister and deputy minister posts in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) were filled by Chinese appointees - Hannah Yeoh and Lo Su Fui.
Among others, PAS and Umno had raised racial concerns regarding the duo's appointment, but Rafizi said that among ordinary Malaysians, issues surrounding the Federal Territories portfolio had evolved beyond the individuals.
“From this reshuffle, the broader issue among ordinary people is (about) the Federal Territories - that’s what’s being played up as a racial issue, when both the minister and deputy minister are not Malay,” he said.
Previously, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, in response to critics, reminded that both Yeoh and Lo are serving under the Prime Minister's Department, overseen directly by the prime minister.
Minister and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh (left) and Lo Su Fui
Rafizi further added that PKR's vice-president R Ramanan's promotion from deputy minister to Human Resources minister was largely a party issue rather than a public one.
“That one is a PKR issue. Ordinary people don’t really care,” he said.
Nevertheless, Rafizi warned that Anwar had sent the wrong signal to PKR supporters, particularly as Ramanan replaced Steven Sim, who was popular among Harapan supporters.
“The message from Anwar to Harapan supporters is very negative regarding Ramanan, both within and outside PKR: ‘No matter how much you make noise, I’ve decided and I like him.’
“That message is compounded by the fact that Ramanan took the place of someone who was popular among Harapan supporters,” he said.
Rafizi further added that PKR's vice-president R Ramanan's promotion from deputy minister to Human Resources minister was largely a party issue rather than a public one.
“That one is a PKR issue. Ordinary people don’t really care,” he said.
Nevertheless, Rafizi warned that Anwar had sent the wrong signal to PKR supporters, particularly as Ramanan replaced Steven Sim, who was popular among Harapan supporters.
“The message from Anwar to Harapan supporters is very negative regarding Ramanan, both within and outside PKR: ‘No matter how much you make noise, I’ve decided and I like him.’
“That message is compounded by the fact that Ramanan took the place of someone who was popular among Harapan supporters,” he said.
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