PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the federal cabinet appointments will not be made simply to placate “political masters” but rather on aligned values of good governance and against corruption.
Stressing that the cabinet will be much leaner than that of the previous administration, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said he is in the midst of discussing with members of other coalitions in the “unity government” on the appointments.
Anwar referred to the previous administration under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which was replaced by one led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The cabinet under both leaders consisted of some 70 ministers and several special envoys, which he labelled as “extravagant”.
“I want to reduce the size of the cabinet. I don’t want to continue this extravagant manner of employing or appointing ministers as a point of reward,” he said.
“So, you have 70 ministers with special envoys… of course, we can consider one or two when it is absolutely necessary but it should not be seen as rewarding political masters in order to support me (as prime minister).
“I want them to support me based on my policies and my commitment to good governance and my commitment to anti-corruption and to resuscitate the economy,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after chairing a special meeting of the 2022 National Action Council on the Cost of Living at Bangunan Perdana Putra here today.
While Anwar said there is still no definitive timeline for cabinet appointments, he expects discussions with coalition partners to be completed soon.
Anwar’s current unity government consists of his own coalition PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, as well as individual parties PBM and Warisan. – The Vibes, November 27, 2022
