Did DAP really lose out in Cabinet shake up? – Terence Fernandez

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (seated, center) poses with media practitioners during the Prime Minister’s Briefing with Editors of Local and International Media (Outlook 2025) at Seri Perdana Complex today. - Bernama pic, December 17, 2025
OPINION/ANALYSIS

Did DAP really lose out in Cabinet shake up? – Terence Fernandez


In the aftermath of the Cabinet reshuffle, there are mixed messages in moves involving DAP



Terence Fernandez
Updated 2 hours ago
18 December, 2025
8:00 AM MYT

IS PMX putting DAP to notice that he will not stand for anymore shenanigans from his most important partner in Pakatan Harapan (PH)?

The Cabinet reshuffle announced yesterday was initially meant to be just a “filling up of empty slots” as the Prime Minister had mentioned on more than one occasion – implying that it was only an administrative exercise to replace the three ministers who quit and one whose two-term Senatorship was coming to an end.

Playing it down and telling the media not to get too excited had always been Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s response to press questions on the reshuffle.

Then … Sabah happened. DAP was wiped out in all eight seats it contested in the State elections (including the two it was defending). PKR only won one.

Then like clockwork DAP wore its “Chinese” hat and revealed its DNA to its detractors including the likes of Umno – its current strange bedfellow.

The United Examinations Certificate (UEC) is a political tinderbox that evokes strong reactions and passionate discussions which is bound to create a schism within the Madani coalition, notably Umno.

So instead of consolidating the coalition following the bruising State polls Anwar now has to play referee in a delicate high-wire duel.

While DAP can be a make or break partner in a coalition, Anwar has realised probably for a while now, that it also brings with it the weight of a Chineseness that even the MCA cannot emulate.

And DAP realises this too. It is being harassed by supporters over the perceived slow reforms, the emphasis on Islamic principles in governance, lack of closure on issues like the death of Teoh Beng Hock and Pastor Koh’s disappearance – both championed by DAP when it was on the other side of the aisle.

So with Chinese support in question, there is the real fear of: will the Chinese do to the DAP in 2028, what they did to MCA in 2008?

And is Anwar’s reshuffle going to add another reason for the Chinese to move away from DAP? The same way they felt 20 years ago that MCA was subservient to UMNO which was going overdrive in its Ketuanan narrative.

Today Dr Akmal Nasir is raising the invisible kris going after Chinese businesses most prolifically KK Mart over the socks controversy.

And DAP had been comparatively muted in its response. Gone were the fiery podium thumping speeches. In its place, measured statements and carefully worded remarks.

With its young leaders such as Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim being moved to notably less glamorous ministries – Federal Territories and Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development respectively – perception arises if DAP is being taken to task on its performance such as the public transport issues dogging DAP secretary general Anthony Loke or the FAM player issue which is more of a Home Ministry jurisdiction under PKR secretary general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.

In Hannah’s case she is diving head first into a pool of touchy subject matters – including urban poverty affecting mostly Malays and the touchy subject of Local Council Elections once championed by her own party but has since shied from it since taking power in Penang and Selangor in 2008.

Hannah needs to deal with all these while also having to navigate the special interests groups which include developers (some of who are party funders) among others.

Her predecessor Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa was dropped, among others apparently for the mishandling of the Kg Sg Baru redevelopment.

Steven was going around the country pitching his baby, the Gig Workers Bill, engaging with largely B40 Malays.

Now he’s been given a considerably smaller portfolio. Why?

At his year-end senior editors briefing yesterday, the Prime Minister explained that he wanted a Cabinet that was more inclusive of young leaders, which explains the likes of Taufiq Johari and Arthur Joseph Kurup appointed as full ministers.

It does not help that PAS secretary general Datuk Takiyuddin Hasan points out that urban power has been given to the Chinese – Hannah, her deputy Loh Su Fui from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Nga Kor Ming who heads the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

Interestingly it was Akmal who came to the defence of these appointments, saying one should give them a chance.

Anwar meanwhile told editors that he does not see a problem with Chinese leadership of the Federal Territories. The same myopic racial critique can be reserved on Ministries headed by Malays.

Meanwhile Umno has gained ground with choice portfolios such as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry; and the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities.

The Prime Minister’s decisions are grounded in delivery and strengthening the unity coalition for the next general elections. In this case, his decisions inadvertently remind certain parties who’s Boss and the reality of Malaysian politics. – December 18, 2025

Terence Fernandez is Editor in Chief of Big Boom Media which publishes Scoop