PM set to announce Cabinet reshuffle tomorrow, EPF CEO tipped to be finance minister II

Thursday 19 Sep 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, which will likely include the appointment of a finance minister II, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), is tipped to be the man for the post. Amir Hamzah joined the EPF in March 2021.

The rejig, which is understood to involve several ministries, may also see the return of familiar faces including Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Gobind Singh Deo, and Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to the Cabinet, the sources said.

Johari previously held the post of minister of finance II from June 2016 to May 2018 under the Barisan Nasional administration, while Gobind was minister of communications and multimedia during the May 2018-February 2020 Pakatan Harapan administration, when Dzulkefly was the health minister.

Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the CEO of EPF, is tipped to be the man for the finance minister II post.

One or two ministries may also see their responsibilities swapped with others, the sources further said.

A spokesperson with the Prime Minister's Office said "nothing is confirmed at this juncture", when The Edge requested a comment on the Cabinet reshuffle.

Last week, Anwar said a Cabinet reshuffle would be required should the performance of ministers slip or if the situation demanded it.

"I think not too far off… but I think after a year, we need to make a fair assessment. People who rule for a decade, three years… a year is too early, so ministers should be given the chance to boost their performance, including the prime minister.

“Then if there is a bit of adjustments based on our one-year experience, we will do it, including additions if needed,” Anwar was quoted as saying during TV3’s special interview programme entitled A Year With The Madani Government: The Prime Minister’s Endeavour that aired live Tuesday night.

There are currently 27 ministers in Anwar's Cabinet — one down from the original 28, after the passing of domestic trade and cost of living minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July this year following a surgery for brain haemorrhage. He was 61.

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