Oh Ei Sun, of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said many may have taken a second or third look at the line-up as almost all the ministers announced are the same, including some in their old portfolios.
“It is very underwhelming and we are not sure if we can go forward in terms of tackling the economy and the pandemic. Performance, again, takes a back seat in this Cabinet,” he told FMT.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azeem Fazwan Abdul Farouk said leaving the deputy prime minister’s post vacant was a strategic move, mimicking what was earlier done by Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The current PM might reserve this for Bersatu. Given the current volatile relationship between Umno and Bersatu, this could be strategic. We will have to see how things play out down the road,” he said.
Azeem said the appointment of ministers based on political parties should come as no surprise to anyone, as choosing ministers with related experience to their ministry has never been the practice.
He said that even during the Pakatan Harapan administration, the government appointed someone without experience as defence minister.
“Otherwise, the new Cabinet line-up is pretty much the same as the previous administration. The policies put together during Muhyiddin’s tenure will continue.
“While we can’t blame Muhyiddin solely for the rise of Covid cases, the change of personalities in the government will bring the changes we want.
“If you are looking for instant gratification, there will be none. We are in for the long haul. If people are expecting a miracle from these appointments, they are in for a bigger disappointment,” he said.
Shahidan for strategy and KJ for quality
Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the return of Shahidan Kassim into the Cabinet was a strategic move, as the Arau MP is seen as someone who can shore up support for the PM within the factions in Umno.
“Shahidan is very in touch with the grassroots and is aware of the goings-on at all levels. He will look after his back, or should I say ‘jaga depan belakang’ for the PM in the party,” he said.
Shamsul said Shahidan’s role comes at a moment when the power of the Umno Supreme Council had weakened. Where it once decided the country’s policies, it has been reduced to a powerless entity now.
He said this led to individuals outside the council being more powerful, citing the elites like Khairy Jamaluddin and Hishammuddin Hussein who had more power than the Supreme Council.
As for Khairy’s new role as health minister, he said his appointment was likely the best bet for the country, given the current pandemic.
Shamsul said that as an Oxbridge graduate, Khairy can harness his vast contacts from his alma mater in getting things done, despite not having practical medical experience.
“KJ is in a class of his own. He is an organisational person, truly a public figure. When you are dealing with the likes of the World Health Organization and other international bodies, he will do us good given his world outlook. KJ will sell well for our country,” he said.
Reezal clinches ‘gold’
Shamsul said as for Umno Supreme Council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican, his appointment as housing and local government minister was a big jump in his career.
“He failed to get gold for Malaysia in the recent Olympics, but he got gold for himself,” he said.