PM’s first task – getting right people for right job, say analysts

 

Ismail Sabri Yaakob with fire and rescue personnel in Kedah. He needs to prioritise a transformation in managing and handling the Covid-19 crisis ahead of political issues, says analyst Nordin Abdullah. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Cabinet line-up must have competent people who know their portfolios and are also able to include all communities in Malaysia, political analyst Bridget Welsh said today.

She added that it was especially critical to have competent candidates in key ministries such as finance, health and social welfare.

“The people appointed must know what they are doing but need not necessarily be experienced in that position. The issue is rebranding and creating a much more coordinated government.

“Therefore, in this regard, the Cabinet needs fewer people but with the right individuals in the right job,” she said on Bernama TV’s Midday Update programme, here, today.

The 30-minute discussion, which highlighted the appointment of Ismail as the country’s ninth prime minister and the National Day celebration, was hosted by Jessy Chahal.

Welsh said the Cabinet formation would be the first major test for Ismail as he has to manage the dynamic relationship with Bersatu, the different factions within Umno, GPS and also offer some concrete measures to the opposition.

Meanwhile, Crisis Management Centre founder Nordin Abdullah, who was also a guest on the programme, said the challenging task for Ismail in naming his Cabinet was in managing talents and appointing the right people in the right places, and getting them in the job quickly.

He added that Ismail also needed to focus on a transformation in managing and handling the Covid-19 crisis, and prioritise it over political issues such as the implementation of Undi18.

“The pandemic has created a reality that makes every decision critical and with very little margin for error. There is an opportunity and indeed a need to develop ‘strategic calm’ to allow the best minds in the country to solve the myriad of problems at hand,” Nordin said.

Ismail was sworn in as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister last Saturday following the resignation of his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 16. - FMT