KUALA LUMPUR: At least four ministerial posts are expected to fall vacant by the end of this year.
In addition to two positions already known earlier, two more are likely to follow soon.
With Datuk Ewon Benedick’s recent decision to resign as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, another leader from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition has followed suit.
Ewon, who is UPKO president, disagreed with the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (A-GC) stance regarding the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision on Oct 17 involving Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue rights.
Earlier, Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who respectively held the portfolios of economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, stepped down after losing in the PKR party elections in May.
Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who will complete his two fixed terms as a senator in December.
However, during the Asean Macquarie Conference in Singapore in August, Tengku Zafrul said he would remain active in politics even after leaving the Cabinet.
At present, the roles economy and minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability minister are being temporarily filled by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, respectively.
With these vacancies, speculation is mounting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may carry out a minor Cabinet reshuffle soon.
Of the four ministerial posts becoming vacant, three are held by PH – two by PKR and one by another PH component from Sabah, UPKO.
The remaining portfolio, held by Tengku Zafrul, is regarded as non-partisan and not tied to any political party.
Although Barisan Nasional (BN) has expressed interest in the position, PH maintains that it was never allocated to BN since Tengku Zafrul was not nominated by BN during Cabinet negotiations following the 15th general election (GE15).
Given the existing quota, the three PH-held ministerial posts are expected to be filled by PH leaders, particularly from PKR and one representative from Sabah, while the remaining position may be decided through discussions between PH and BN leaders.
Based on PKR’s current leadership hierarchy, its deputy president, Nurul Izzah Anwar, is seen as a potential candidate for a ministerial position, along with the party’s three vice-presidents, all of whom are MPs.
Among those being mentioned is Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who is also Port Dickson MP.
In 2024, he was previously linked to the economy minister post amid speculation within PKR before the party elections, though he denied it at the time.
Other vice-presidents said to be in contention include Sungai Buloh MP and Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (Gombak MP).
If any senior PKR leader is appointed to the Cabinet, it would align with the wishes of the party’s leadership and grassroots, who have long called for the Cabinet line-up to reflect PKR’s internal election results.
Currently, only one PKR vice-president, Chang Lih Kang, holds a full ministerial portfolio, as science, technology and innovation minister.
For the Sabah-based post vacated by Ewon, UPKO honorary president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau is among the names being considered.
He previously served as science, technology and innovation minister under Datuk Seri Najib Razak‘s administration, and as Sabah deputy chief minister from 2018 to 2020.
The country’s shifting political landscape, marked by the growing influence of younger voters, particularly Undi18, prompted Madius – who is also Tuaran MP – to relinquish his role as UPKO president in 2022 after leading the party since 2014.
As for the investment, trade and industry portfolio, speculation continues over who will replace Tengku Zafrul.
Besides former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, another name being mentioned is Umno Supreme Council member and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Under Reezal Merican’s leadership, Matrade has achieved several milestones.
For example, in 2024, exports rose by 5.7 per cent to RM1.508 trillion, achieving 87.2 per cent of the target set under the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
In addition, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) 2023 gained global recognition after earning a Guinness World Record for “Largest Attendance at a Halal Trade Exhibition”, while Mihas 2024 recorded its highest-ever sales value at RM4.3 billion, a 34 per cent increase from the previous year.
Amid strong speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle due to the current vacancies, political chatter has also emerged suggesting that the 16th general election (GE16) could be held earlier, possibly next year.
This expectation stems from several indicators, particularly ongoing discussions among political parties within the unity government to hold state elections in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor concurrently with GE16.
The Melaka state assembly will automatically dissolve on Dec 26, 2026, followed by Sarawak in February 2027 and Johor in April 2027.
If the government’s plan for an early general election materialises, it would not be surprising if the current vacant Cabinet positions remain unfilled – or are only temporarily covered – until Parliament is dissolved.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
