Malaysia PM aims to rebuild trust with major cabinet reshuffle

Reuters:

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made major changes to his cabinet on Tuesday, appointing the chief of the country’s largest state pension fund as second finance minister in an effort to rebuild trust after a year in office.

Anwar, who suffered a dip in public opinion polls in recent months amid concerns over the economy, inflation and the slow pace of promised reforms, said the economy, health and education were his government’s top priority.

“The ministry of finance, other than being headed by me, must have a strong professional team to ensure we are on the right track and focus on the economy,” Anwar, who is also finance minister, told a televised press conference.

He brought back the position of second finance minister, appointing to the job Amir Hamzah Azizan, the chief executive of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

Taking over the foreign ministry from his former position at defence is Mohamad Hasan, a deputy president of one of Anwar’s allies, the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO).

Tuesday’s reshuffle split the energy transition and digital portfolios into separate ministries, taking the number of cabinet members to 31 from 28 previously.

A reshuffle was politically necessary and long overdue, said Adib Zalkapli, director of strategic adviser BowerGroupAsia, after a cabinet vacancy left by the death of a minister in July.

“By appointing the EPF CEO, (Anwar) is addressing the perception that the ministry has been neglected due to his other responsibilities as the prime minister,” he added.