KUALA LUMPUR ― It may be unexpected, but announcing only a partial Cabinet line-up will work in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s favour as the top three ministerial positions will ensure that business goes on as usual, pundits say.
Analysts also believe that picking DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Finance Minister, Defence Minister and Home Minister was a way of giving the heads of the Pakatan Harapan component parties critical posts.
“These are all important Cabinet posts and should be led by all presidents of component parties,” Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Associate Professor Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani told Malay Mail.
“I think they are waiting for names proposed by all parties especially from Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, they don’t want to rush… so (Dr Mahathir) just announced the crucial ones first,” he said when asked why only three names were announced, excluding Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the deputy prime minister.
Institute Senior Advisor on International Affairs Oh Ei Sun said Lim was given the finance portfolio most likely because of his good financial track record in Penang and also for “an unassailable reputation” for integrity.
“(Lim) Guan Eng as minister of finance will be perceived across the board as the best choice,” he said.
Dr Mahathir has said that seven other Cabinet members will be announced soon but has not given a deadline.
He also announced the formation of a Council of Elders comprising of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas chairman Tan Sri Hassan Merican, billionaire Tan Sri Robert Kuok and economist Professor Jomo Kwame Sundaram.
The council of elders’ main role will be to advise the government on financial and economic matters.
“This is new to Malaysia but it is also a good move to ensure other prominent figures who are not politicians to get involved in important decisions discussed at the Cabinet,” Azizuddin said.
Sharing a similar sentiment is Penang Institute analyst Ooi Kok Hin.
He said it was positive to see policy experts like Jomo and Zeti stepping as advisers to the government.
“I have always believed that policy-making is not the sole domain to be occupied by politicians.
“However, their limits of power should be clearly stated so that people who voted for change know that the country will not be run by an unelected body.
According to a theory by Kuasa’s Praba Ganesan, when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is released and ascends to become prime minister, Dr Mahathir would most likely join some of his former colleagues in the Council of Elders.
“Dr Wan Azizah will also step down. No husband and wife team. Muhyiddin will ascend to number two.
“Dr Mahathir will join the Council of Elders, and become a mentor minister like how his old friend Lee Kuan Yew was,” said the chief executive of the democracy outreach organisation.
On Mohamad becoming defence minister, analysts said it was not surprising or shocking, given the former’s experience as an MP before.
“Don’t underestimate Mat Sabu. I think he can manage the ministry well with the help of all top generals in the military,” Azizuddin said referring to Mohamad Sabu.
– Malay Mail
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