The minor cabinet reshuffle announced by Pak Lah on Tuesday is a strong reflection that our present prime minister is not a strong leader but just a reconciler and a balancer operating on a maintenance mode.

It is a survivalist's short-term strategy to maintain the status quo by holding fast to the reign of power and closing his eyes and ears to the vulgar and brutal realities staring naked in front of him. It was a great let down to a very significant segment of his supporters. Clear signs of disillusionment are already written all over their faces.

Octogenarians, the tinted and the controversial members of the cabinet continue to be retained. A few have been there for the last 15 years. They now dare to come late for the weekly cabinet meeting and sometimes conduct their own small meeting while the main meeting is in session. None dare do this during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's time.

Well, let us see how long this would last. Our hope is that they all could continue to work as a team in implementing the 9th Malaysian Plan, which is scheduled to be announced sometime in March.