The decision to carve up the ministries helmed by Fahmi Fadzil and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has prompted a Bersatu lawmaker to ask if the two PKR leaders failed to perform.
A puzzled Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said he is unable to comprehend the logic behind the move.
“For me, the two PKR leaders seemed okay except for Fahmi (Fadzil) in the sense of failing to manage the digital media propaganda. I don’t think there was any other problem.
“So why break up the ministries? I don’t understand,” the Machang MP told Malaysiakini.
Furthermore, Wan Fayhsal said the move led to the expansion of the cabinet, which now has an addition of two members, bringing the total to 31. The number of deputy ministers has also increased to 29 from 27.
Although the Bersatu MP claimed the increase goes against Anwar’s previous promise to have a smaller cabinet, the current number of ministers and deputy ministers is still smaller than when Bersatu chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and Umno Ismail Sabri Yaakob were prime ministers.
During their respective eras, there was a record number of 32 ministers and 38 deputy ministers.
This morning, Anwar announced that the Communications and Digital Ministry has been split into two with Fahmi heading communications while DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo has been appointed digital minister.
"My view is that communication with media and social media is also a challenge and that the criticism that has been levied against us is that while some of the policies are impressive, the communications to impart and disseminate this has not been that satisfactory so there must be this focus,” the prime minister told reporters.
On the other hand, the National Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, headed by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, was also separated into two entities.
Nik Nazmi will head the Natural Resources and Sustainability Ministry whereas Fadillah Yusof, who is in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, will helm the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry.
Tok Mat switch ignites speculation
Similar to his Bersatu colleague, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Wan Fahysal also smelled a conspiracy behind the change in Umno number two Mohamad Hasan’s portfolio from defence to foreign affairs.
“Why is Tok Mat (Mohamad), the deputy president of Umno, made foreign minister while the Umno vice-president (Mohamed Khaled Nordin) is appointed defence minister?
"This feels odd to me. It appears there are attempts to curtail Tok Mat’s influence from spreading to the grassroots. This (foreign) ministry requires (the minister) to be overseas much of the time and has no machinery at the grassroots level. My reading is that there is a ‘game’ here,” he added.
Khaled Nordin, who was the higher education minister, also expressed surprise over the change of portfolios.
On the whole, Wan Fayshal said that he is “delighted” with the cabinet reshuffle.
“As the opposition, I am delighted to see this (reshuffle) because it opens up more opportunities for us to check and balance in Parliament. So all the best to the Madani government,” he added. - Mkini
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