Only 20% of fresh faces in line-up

While there was great expectation of an infusion of new blood in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s cabinet, there are only six fresh faces among the 28 ministers named today.

Among the six, two were promoted from their deputy minister’s posts.

In an immediate reaction, social reform movement Aliran expressed disappointment that Najib has retained the majority of ministers from the previous cabinet.

Aliran president P Ramakrishnan lamented that these old faces were part of a government that had previously failed to deliver.

“Now they have been assembled once again under a new leadership and it is left to be seen whether this new grouping will deliver on the prime minister’s promises,” he said.

Ramakrishnan also said that had been little change in the size of Malaysia’s jumbo cabinet.

“There have been speculations that the new cabinet would be smaller than the previous one. Well, it’s smaller in the sense there are 28 ministers now as compared to the previous 32.

“But it is bigger in another sense. There is an increase in the deputy ministers in that there are now 40 as compared to 38 in the previous administration.”

Analysts said the line-up would help Najib realise his reform ambitions, unlike his predecessor, Abdullah, who never managed to put his own stamp on the cabinet and was criticised for failing to carry out his pledges.

"The key portfolios are held by people close to (Najib) and loyal to him," said Yang Razali Kassim from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

"I think it will be like a fresh engine for him. Although it comprises some old faces, the way he has rearranged the positions gives the whole team a sense of renewal for Najib to step up his new leadership," he told AFP.

However, the opposition said that expectations of a substantially slimmed-down cabinet had not been met, and that although there were fewer ministers the list of deputy ministers had been expanded.

"It doesn't look like a lean cabinet because from 70 ministers and deputies, you now have 68 so it's hardly a reduction," said PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah.

What others say

Ong Tee Keat, MCA president

The prime minister has rightly taken the step in making the cabinet a leaner and meaner team. Despite this, the PM has kept the status quo of four ministerial posts for the MCA and even increased the number of MCA deputy ministers by one to seven now.

It demonstrates the ruling coalition's commitment to power sharing and MCA's position as a major partner of the BN. We appreciate the difficulties the prime minister must have in drawing up the cabinet list as he has to take into account many factors and sensitivities.

But the BN should not just be about positions. It is also about reforms that the people have loudly cried out for. They want to see immediate changes to policies and fair implementation of existing and new policies. They have said loudly they want the government to act against corruption. They want a more efficient and competent civil service. The people have spoken, and the new cabinet must listen and act now.

Lim Kit Siang, DAP supremo

Najib Razak’s cabinet failed to live up to the hype of “lean” though it may be “mean”, setting a dubious cabinet record of using the “back door of Parliament” to bring into the government the biggest crop of defeated candidates in the previous general election.

If Najib wants the cabinet to be really “lean”, he should have slashed the 32-strong Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s ministers by at least one-third.

The cabinet appointment which has evoked the greatest interest is not a minister but a deputy minister – the appointment of Mukhriz Mahathir as deputy minister for international trade and industry and the conspicuous omission of Khairy Jamaluddin, the Umno Youth leader.

This reinforces public perception that Najib is under thumb of former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad as well as raises the question as to why Khairy, who is publicly accused by Mahathir of being corrupt, could continue as Umno Youth leader when he is not fit to be a member of the cabinet – just like the question asked by Malaysians how Mohd Ali Rustam could continue to be Malacca chief minister when he was not qualified to contest for Umno deputy president because of his involvement in money politics.

Sabah is the biggest winner and Sarawak the biggest loser – as Sabah has four ministers while Sarawak only two. Clearly, Najib does not appreciate the Batang Ai by-election victory of the Barisan Nasional on Tuesday.

S Samy Vellu, MIC president

It's a good cabinet to suit the changing economic situation. But what's more interesting is that the PM has introduced the KPIs to check on the performance of ministers and deputy ministers.

There is now a check-and-balance system institutionalised within the cabinet. With this new move, any ministers who is slack in their duties will be replaced. Ministers will be on their toes all the time and the people will have more confidence.

I am confident the people would welcome and support this new approach.

Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor menteri besar

Selangor hopes there will be a room for mutual understanding for the state’s participation in the planning and implementation in the nation’s future developments.

For Selangor, it is now important to resolve the issues relating to the restructuring of water services industry as planned by the federal government. It is the state’s intention to promote the idea of arbitration between the federal government, the state and the concessionaires to establish amicable solutions.

It is also hoped that the new minister at the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry will assist the state in providing efficient water services with competitive prices to the people of
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The Selangor government hopes to follow up with the new minister in the Economic Planning Unit and the finance minister to further discuss the state’s economic stimulus package.

The state has identified five major areas as part of our stimulus package which includes rehabilitation and cleaning up of Klang River as well as urban redevelopment to drive our economy which will benefit both federal and state governments.

Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan president

I feel very humbled and hounoured to be included in Najib's team in the cabinet ... to work with the people of Malaysia to realise the objectives of the "One Malaysia" agenda.

I am fully aware of the heavy responsibility and huge challenges in our endeavour to bring about real reform in various areas to meet the aspirations of all Malaysians.

I pledge to devote my energy, draw on my expertise and experience, and learn from the people, to do my very best in my new role in government.

Gerakan is grateful that our two deputy ministers Tan Lian Hoe were reappointed as deputy minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs, and senator A Kohilan as deputy minister of foreign affairs. They will continue to work diligently in their new roles.