PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to make a special announcement on the federal cabinet at 3.30pm on Tuesday, as months of speculation over a long-anticipated reshuffle reach a climax.
The announcement will be livestreamed on Facebook and carried by major media outlets including Bernama and RTM. Anwar offered no details on the substance of the announcement, but said in a social media post that the government “will continue to prioritise strengthening governance and improving the effectiveness of policy implementation to safeguard the well-being of the people and the nation”.
The statement has intensified expectations that a cabinet reshuffle, widely discussed in political circles since mid-year, could finally be unveiled, potentially paving the way for new faces in the Unity Government’s line-up as early as Wednesday.
On 7 December, Anwar confirmed that a list for a cabinet reshuffle had already been prepared, though discussions with leaders of component parties in the Unity Government had yet to take place.
He described the exercise as a limited one, aimed mainly at filling vacancies rather than overhauling the cabinet.
“Yes, I have a list. I am considering it carefully. I do not want to rush, and I need time to reflect after hearing various views. I have not yet discussed it with all party leaders,” he said previously. “The final decision remains my prerogative, and I appreciate that they understand and respect that.”
The cabinet currently has four vacant ministerial posts following a series of resignations. Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down in May. Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Ewon Benedick resigned last month, while the vacancy in the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry arose after Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s senatorship expired.
In the interim, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has assumed responsibility for the economy portfolio, while Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani is overseeing the Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Ministry. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has taken over the duties of the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry with effect from today.
Several names have since emerged as possible candidates to fill the vacant posts, amid speculation over limited portfolio swaps rather than sweeping changes. Johari Abdul Ghani is reportedly being considered for either the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry or the Economy Ministry. Other potential appointees include PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who is currently Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, and Amanah vice-president Adly Zahari, the Deputy Defence Minister.
Political analyst Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said a cabinet reshuffle was indeed necessary but acknowledged that Anwar’s room for manoeuvre was constrained by the realities of governing a multi-party coalition.
“If one were to expect a major reshuffle, it may not happen fully because the Prime Minister is bound by the need to maintain the status quo of the deputy prime minister posts and ministers from the 18 component parties in the MADANI government,” he told Berita Harian. “These constraints indirectly bind the Prime Minister from carrying out a maximum reshuffle, making it difficult to change the entire cabinet line-up.”
Azmi nevertheless expects greater involvement of technocrats and professionals, particularly through the appointment of senators, if vacancies persist following Tengku Zafrul’s exit from the cabinet.
“The appointment of Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who does not carry party political liabilities, proves the need to bring in professionals to lead critical ministries,” he said. “This is important because ministries such as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the economic sector require technical and professional expertise. If professionals are tied to party politics, it can be difficult, as seen before.”
He added that ministers from Pakatan Harapan were more likely to experience portfolio changes rather than being dropped entirely, as Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, does not need to negotiate with other party leaders on those positions. In contrast, any reshuffle involving UMNO, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah would require more delicate negotiations to preserve political balance.
“There is also talk of possible changes involving UMNO deputy ministers,” Azmi said. “However, UMNO ministers overall are seen as performing well. For example, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has shown excellent performance, particularly in handling the Sulu claims issue, due to her experience and expertise.”
Ultimately, Azmi stressed that while cabinet appointments are based on party quotas, effectiveness should remain paramount.
“That is what we want. Even though ministers are appointed according to party quotas, they must be MPs who are capable and experienced,” he said. - December 16, 2025
