Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun said the Cabinet would see familiar faces from the Perikatan Nasional administration.
Although Ismail’s appointment marks Umno’s return to power, Oh believed there would be little change to the country’s management of the pandemic.
“He was very much the public face of the last administration. He’s likely to continue the same pandemic and economic policies,” he told FMT.
Political communications professor Syed Arabi Idid, however, said Ismail would have to choose quality Cabinet members and reduce the quantity.
He said this must balance all the demands by component parties of the new government, adding that it has to be “clean and fair to all”.
“I do not expect many changes, as he is not politically strong. He is not heading any political party unlike previous PMs,” he said, referring to Ismail’s current post as vice-president of Umno.
He also pointed out that the prime minister still had to undergo the formal test of the vote of confidence in Parliament next month.
Former academic Azmi Hassan said Ismail should immediately fill some important ministry positions after his swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.
This is especially for portfolios that deal directly with the pandemic such as health, science, technology and innovation as well as international trade and industry, he added.
“One clear example is in making the decision whether we will have to go for a third dose (of the Covid-19 vaccine) or not,” he said. “Decisions need to be made fast.”
Meanwhile, political scientist Wong Chin Huat said Ismail had an advantage as no one had high expectations of him, which would allow him to “outperform” if he played his cards well.
However, if he misses the opportunity, Wong said the new prime minister could be forced out of his own government within months.
“His first priority should be seeking CSAs (confidence and supply agreements) with the opposition, to free himself from any threat to the government. CSA is a much superior option than a unity government, which will sink into lengthy and messy negotiations over ministerial jobs,” he said.
He added that Ismail should consider some of the reforms proposed by Bersih 2.0 and tie it to the CSAs, including parliamentary reforms, decentralisation and amendments to the attorney-general’s chambers to end selective prosecution.
Ismail was appointed as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia earlier today, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin. He is expected to be sworn in at 2.30pm tomorrow.