PAS plays racial card over FT ministry picks, Umno urges govt to explain

PAS plays racial card over FT ministry picks, Umno urges govt to explain


Published: Dec 17, 2025 2:02 PM
Updated: 5:45 PM



Unimpressed with the recent cabinet reshuffle, PAS turned to racial argument in criticising the cabinet having both the federal territories minister and its deputy from the Chinese community.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan also claimed that the appointments were not made based on merit or policy needs; rather, due to political pressure and horse-trading.

“PAS views the cabinet reshuffle seriously, especially the appointments of Hannah Yeoh (DAP) and (Lo) Su Fui (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) as minister and deputy minister of federal territories.

“This is in addition to a DAP leader retaining the housing and local government ministry. Coincidentally, all three of them are of the same ethnicity.

“It must be emphasised that the Federal Territories - Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan - are not ordinary territories or portfolios. The areas represent the political and administrative heart of the nation.

“Therefore, the centralisation of strategic administration for urban areas, local governments, housing, and local authorities in the hands of leaders from a single party and ethnicity could raise unavoidable questions regarding issues of imbalance, excessive centralisation of power, and the direction of the country’s administration,” he said in a statement today.

PM Anwar Ibrahim announcing the major cabinet reshuffle yesterday


Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a cabinet reshuffle, which saw, among others, several ministers and deputy ministers getting new portfolios.

Among others, Yeoh has now become Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) after Dr Zaliha Mustafa was dropped.

Also dropped as minister was Na’im Mokhtar, who previously served as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).

DAP’s threats on govt

Elaborating, Takiyuddin claimed that the latest cabinet selection was made not due to merit but over DAP’s threat to leave the government.

The Kota Bharu MP cited that the threat includes, among others, a push for the government to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

“PAS believes that if cabinet posts are used as ‘gifts’ to maintain the support and loyalty of any party, then it is an erosion of the idea and institution of a principled government, weakening the integrity of the drafting of national policies.

“And it would raise concerns that it is a deliberate move to strengthen DAP’s dominance in Kuala Lumpur and other major urban centres in the country.

“This will enable a single party to form and shape urbanisation policy, land use, housing, and local government without an effective and transparent system of checks and balances,” Takiyuddin added.

The PAS leader added that such a centralisation of power causes public anxiety, especially with the government pushing to enact the controversial Urban Renewal Act.

Address concerns

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki pointed out that based on the current cabinet list, Malays hold 17 ministerial posts, with Sarawak and Sabah bumiputera communities holding five and three posts, respectively.

Umno sec-gen Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki

“As for the Chinese, they hold five ministerships and Indians hold two,” he said on Facebook.

As for deputy ministers, Asyraf said 10 Malays hold the posts, with Sarawak and Sabah holding seven and six, respectively.

However, the Umno leader acknowledged concerns over Yeoh and Lo helming the important ministry, in addition to having Marhamah Rosli as the new deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) - who is alleged to be involved in a gold investment scam.

“These sentiments cannot be trivialised and must be addressed with wisdom,” Asyraf added.