Anwar announces Cabinet reshuffle to fill vacancies and refocus economic priorities

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 16 December 2025 announced a reshuffled Cabinet, unveiling new appointments and portfolio changes in a special live broadcast at 3.30pm from Putrajaya.

The announcement ended months of speculation over unfilled positions within the administration and marked one of the most significant adjustments since the formation of the current government.

Anwar said the reshuffle was necessary to ensure the Cabinet continued to function effectively as a collective body.

He emphasised that the changes were focused on strengthening delivery and addressing public expectations.

“This is to ensure the Cabinet works as a team and focuses on reinvigorating economic growth while addressing the people’s concerns,” he told reporters after the announcement.

He added that only ministers whose portfolios had changed, as well as new appointees, would be named publicly. Those retaining their existing roles were not announced individually during the broadcast.

The special announcement was aired live on television stations, including Bernama TV, and streamed across social media platforms, including the official Facebook pages of the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Key ministerial changes

Among the most notable appointments was Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as the new minister of investment, trade and industry.

He takes over a key economic portfolio previously held by Senator Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Another significant change saw Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir appointed as minister of economy. Akmal is regarded as a close ally of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramly and represents a younger generation within the ruling coalition.

Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan was named minister in the Prime Minister’s Department overseeing federal territories. She previously served as youth and sports minister.

Her former portfolio will now be led by first-term Sungai Petani MP Mohammed Taufiq Johari. He is the son of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and one of the youngest ministers in the new lineup.

Adam Adli Abd Halim, previously Hannah Yeoh’s deputy at the Youth and Sports Ministry, was shifted to higher education as deputy minister, marking another move involving younger leaders.

Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah of Umno was appointed deputy minister of economy, making the ministry one of those led by comparatively younger figures within the unity government.

Environment and resources portfolios

Sabahan leader Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup was appointed minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability. He replaces Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Setiawangsa MP and former PKR vice-president.

Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh was named deputy minister in the same ministry, pairing two senior figures to oversee environmental and sustainability policies.

The reshuffle comes amid heightened public attention on climate resilience, resource management, and sustainable development policies.

Human resources and entrepreneurship reshuffle

Anwar also announced changes to the Human Resources Ministry.

Steven Sim Chee Keong, the Bukit Mertajam MP from DAP, was transferred to the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.

Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, the PKR MP for Sungai Buloh, replaced Sim as minister of human resources, a portfolio closely watched by trade unions and employers.

Earlier, Anwar reiterated that his administration would continue prioritising governance reforms and effective policy implementation to improve public welfare.

Full Cabinet lineup

Anwar confirmed the complete list of ministers and deputy ministers forming the new Cabinet.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains prime minister and also retains the finance portfolio, supported by Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as second finance minister and Liew Chin Tong as deputy minister.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continues as deputy prime minister I and minister of rural and regional development, while Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof remains deputy prime minister II and minister of energy transition and water transformation.

Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan now oversees federal territories, while Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said continues handling law and institutional reform in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Other key portfolios include education under Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, health under Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, foreign affairs under Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and defence under Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Cabinet also features continuity in transport under Anthony Loke Siew Fook, housing and local government under Nga Kor Ming, and agriculture and food security under Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Formation and composition of Malaysia’s unity government

The current Malaysian government is a unity administration formed after the 2022 general election resulted in a hung parliament, with no coalition securing a simple majority.

Following post-election negotiations, Pakatan Harapan formed the government with the support of Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, and several smaller parties and independents.

This arrangement brought together parties and internal factions with historically divergent ideologies, including reformist, conservative, and regional blocs, under a single governing framework.

The unity government’s term is expected to run its full course, with the next general election constitutionally due by February 2028.