Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim revamps cabinet as voters worry about economy

3-minute read
13 December 2023 | 17:15 CAT

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim PHOTO BY YASUYOSHI CHIBA /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a minor cabinet reshuffle yesterday amid growing public discontent around the country’s economy.

Speaking during a televised press conference, Anwar, who also serves as finance minister, said that he would increase the size of the cabinet to 60 ministers and deputies, up from 55 previously, to prioritize his administration’s focus on the economy, health, and education.

Tuesday’s reshuffle split the energy transition and digital portfolios into separate ministries, taking the number of cabinet members to 31 from 28 previously.

“The ministry of finance, other than being headed by me, must have a strong professional team to ensure we are on the right track and focus on the economy,” Anwar, who is also finance minister, told a televised press conference.

He brought back the position of second finance minister, appointing Amir Hamzah Azizan, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) chief executive.

Mohamad Hasan, a deputy president of one of Anwar’s allies, the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), is taking over the foreign ministry from his former position in defence.

Malaysia’s economic growth has slowed sharply this year from 8.7% in 2022 amid lower exports. While inflation has moderated, concerns remain over rising consumer costs, as the ringgit is one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies this year.

Anwar heads a government formed of his progressive coalition, one-time rival UMNO, East Malaysian parties, and several smaller parties.

The latest survey by independent polling group Merdeka Center published last month saw Anwar’s approval rating drop to 50% from 68% in December last year, while government approval dipped to 41% from 54%.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and his guest Haresh Deol, editor of Kuala Lumpur-based news organisation Twentytwo13.

For SA launches Religious Freedom Scorecard: A guide to political parties ‘ stance on religious freedom

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 02 May 2024 | 16:48 CAT FOR SA has introduced a significant tool on its website: the Religious Freedom Scorecard. This Scorecard offers a comprehensive view of how political parties have voted on legislation...

CoughWatchSA: web-based respiratory illness surveillance

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 2 May 2024 | 13:12 SAST 1-minute read CoughWatchSA is a participatory program aimed at monitoring respiratory illnesses. It enables citizens to report respiratory symptoms on a weekly basis in order to support current...

The Asia-Pacific Report

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 2 May 2024 | 12:06 p.m. SAST 2-minute read In Malaysia, American fast-food chain KFC has become the latest to close numerous outlets in Muslim-majority areas, as the effects of boycott campaigns begin to filter through....

The Media Lens

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 1 May 2024 | 12:06 SAST 1-minute read Journalism professors from United States universities have penned a letter demanding accountability from the New York Times for the article alleging sexual violence by Hamas on October...

Global Report on Food Crises: increase in number of people facing hunger

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 01 May 2024 | 08:17 SAST 1-minute read The recently released Global Report on Food Crisis 2024 emphasises the monumental task of achieving the goal of eradicating hunger by 2030. According to the report, nearly 282 million...

The Africa Report

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 30 April 2024 | 12:48 SAST 1-minute read Technology giant Apple has been accused of using illegally exploited minerals extracted from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in its products. The broader issue of mineral...