Anwar urged to exercise fairness in forming Cabinet

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at his swearing-in yesterday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Several academics have spoken of how important it is for Anwar Ibrahim to be seen to be fair when forming his Cabinet.

They said he would have to ensure that the Cabinet remain intact for at least a couple of years. His fairness might make this achievable, they added.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara highlighted the importance of exercising wisdom in the assigning of portfolios.

“Cabinet decisions are made collectively and each party in this unity government may exert different influences depending on the portfolios it holds,” he told FMT.

The distribution of Cabinet posts should reflect the parties’ strengths in the Dewan Rakyat, he added.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the Cabinet should not be as large as previous ones and should be composed of “performing and likeable” MPs.

“If he makes all the right moves, Anwar will be seen as the one who improved the country’s political stability,” he said.

Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University saw as another of Anwar’s priorities the separation of the role of public prosecutor from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“Until then, a moratorium should be imposed on cases” that were politically sensitive, he said.

Wong also said Anwar should recognise any shadow Cabinet formed by the opposition.

He agreed with electoral reform group Bersih that members of the shadow Cabinet should be given access to resources and information and salaries commensurate with their positions.

“He should also convene a meeting with all state government heads to express his government’s intention to work with all states without making promises which he may not be able to deliver,” he said.

Anwar was sworn in yesterday as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister. - FMT