Political observers have pushed back against a proposal urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to include every party in the unity government bloc in his Cabinet, arguing that such a move would weaken the administration’s credibility and inflate the size of the government unnecessarily.
The suggestion came from Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Larry Sng, who believed that all coalition partners should have representation in anticipation of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Sng, the sole PBM MP, had argued that limiting representation to major blocs such as Pakatan Harapan, Umno, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah would not be strategically beneficial ahead of the next general election.
However, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said there was no need to offer ministerial positions to parties with very few MPs, including PBM, MCA or MIC. He noted that giving in to such demands would send the wrong signal, making the prime minister appear too accommodating and potentially damaging the government’s public image.
Mazlan added that Anwar must avoid forming an oversized Cabinet that could trigger voter dissatisfaction, especially when contrasted with larger nations that manage with leaner leadership structures. While the prime minister could theoretically trim the quota of bigger coalition partners to make room for smaller parties, Mazlan said such an approach would spark friction with parties holding more political weight—an outcome far more problematic than leaving minor partners without Cabinet posts.
As an alternative, he suggested that these smaller parties could instead be appointed to leadership roles in government-linked companies or key agencies. He cited previous examples such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority chairmanship, previously held by former minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, as positions that could provide representation without expanding the Cabinet.
Mazlan emphasised that if PBM genuinely sought a place in the federal Cabinet, it must prove its relevance by winning more seats in the next general election—perhaps five or six—before such consideration would be justified.
His views were echoed by Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi, who cautioned against appointing individuals who may not be suited for ministerial responsibilities, even if they are senior figures in their respective parties. He argued that such appointments would undermine the reformist image the current administration aims to project.
Awang Azman also questioned the electoral loyalty of the smaller parties, noting that Cabinet seats do not necessarily guarantee long-term support for the prime minister. He warned that an oversized Cabinet would place additional pressure on government finances, with funds inevitably diverted to support new ministries and their administrative costs.
The analysts’ remarks reflect a broader sentiment that Cabinet representation should be based on capacity, contribution and electoral strength—not merely coalition arithmetic.
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