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SEVERAL credible political and technocratic figures have surfaced as frontrunners to join or be reassigned within Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet, as the Prime Minister moves to address four ministerial vacancies and refine the administration’s leadership structure.
Observers say the impending changes are expected to focus on strengthening key ministries rather than expanding the Cabinet, with potential portfolio swaps among senior figures. Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, is viewed as a leading candidate for a move to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) or the Ministry of Economy — both of which currently lack full ministers.
Names gaining momentum for elevation include PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R Ramanan, now Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives, and AMANAH vice-president Adly Zahari, the Deputy Defence Minister.
Analysts also see space for the return of PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar and former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin through appointments to the Dewan Negara.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also a PKR vice-president, is likewise being touted for a Cabinet role.
There is further speculation that Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan — now an independent MP after his expulsion from BERSATU — could be brought into the MADANI government.
UMNO leaders who have demonstrated strong performance in their current posts, such as MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, are also seen as viable contenders.
Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Johari commands the credibility needed to take over MITI following the departure of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, whose term as Senator lapsed.
“Johari is seen as capable of handling issues relating to the Reciprocal Trade Agreement between Malaysia and the United States. Besides him, there are also strong calls for Ramanan and Khairy to join the Cabinet,” Berita Harian quoted him saying today.
Alongside MITI, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability have remained vacant since Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down in May after losing the PKR party elections.
The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives became vacant more recently following Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation on 8 November after UPKO withdrew from Pakatan Harapan.
Three other ministers — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar — are nearing the end of their first Senate terms, adding further impetus for recalibration.
Hisomuddin expects Anwar to opt for a limited reshuffle. He said the Prime Minister is unlikely to embark on a major revamp.
“I feel other ministers will stay in their portfolios. With less than a year and a half left, each portfolio requires time for a minister to settle in. A major overhaul would hinder the government’s momentum.”
Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia agreed that Johari is a plausible candidate for the Ministry of Economy and said Anwar may also consider experienced technocrats to reinforce the Cabinet.
He noted that Barisan Nasional, as a key partner in the Unity Government, has multiple capable leaders who could be elevated.
Among PKR figures, Mazlan sees Nurul Izzah as the most suitable for appointment, adding that some potential candidates, such as Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, may have limited prospects due to political dynamics.
“The relationship between Rafizi and the Prime Minister is not particularly close at the moment, limiting Rodziah’s prospects. Within UMNO, strong candidates include Asyraf Wajdi and Reezal Merican, who have demonstrated solid performance,” he said.
Mazlan added that AMANAH vice-president Adly Zahari could be promoted from deputy minister to full minister, with another AMANAH leader such as Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof filling the deputy role.
He said such adjustments would reflect PKR and AMANAH’s position as central pillars of both the Unity Government and Pakatan Harapan. - December 2, 2025