People Want Anwar To Drop Zahid In Cabinet Reshuffle

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VOXPOP | While the dust has settled on Malaysia’s election season, the next source of speculation centres around talk of a cabinet reshuffle.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been enigmatic and non-committal over the matter. However, due to the passing of Salahuddin Ayub in July, one position will need to be filled.
Malaysiakini took to the streets to find out which cabinet ministers Malaysians would like to see being replaced, retained or brought into the cabinet.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was most often cited as the person Anwar should drop from his cabinet line-up, while the likes of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan were given the thumbs up.
“I’m sorry but I’m not a big fan of him,” said student Akshaan. His fellow student Thuraya also pointed to Zahid as a weak link with the baggage over his corruption charges being a factor.
“He has a background story that is not good for our country. Even foreigners know about it,” she said.
“I also would like to criticise our own prime minister. Issues of the rising cost of living, insufficient wages and unemployment are being ignored.
“These things are not good and he said he would improve our economy. But in my view, it’s still in bad shape,” Thuraya added.
IT support technician Farid Manan also gave Zahid the thumbs down, adding his opinion that Multimedia and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli also had not done enough to show they deserved to hold on to their positions.
Trader Sivaguru Krishnar also suggested that Zahid and his fellow Umno member, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said be dumped.
“Maybe they are doing their work, but I never hear from them,” he told Malaysiakini.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu was singled out by executive Peter John who said that Mohamad had been more visible when he served as defence minister in 2018-2020.
“Now there is no news about him as the agriculture minister. What is he doing?” asked Peter.
Self-employed Lim Toon Chai pointed the finger at Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagong.
“Our country is so polarised now, and I don’t see any improvement. In fact, it’s getting worse,” he said.
Many young people also said that some of the cabinet ministers were seen as being too low-key on social media, with one citing present Health Minister Dr Zaliha Ismail as an example.
Dr Zaliha Ismail
Popular facesIt wasn’t all bad news for Anwar’s ministers as citizens took the time to heap praises on Yeoh, Loke and Hasan.
Hawker Nor Mashita lauded Loke and Hasan saying that they could be seen doing their jobs while student Thuraya had good words for Yeoh.
“Yeoh is always seen doing her job and being on the ground. We can see her taking an active role in improving the sports situation in the country,” she said.
Farid Manan praised Yeoh and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Lim said that Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing was also doing a good job of being vocal in promoting tourism for Malaysia.
“He is not afraid to speak up, including against the Kedah MB Sanusi Md Nor over the Langkawi clothing issue,” he added.
Student Hadreen also praised Loke and Sabu, saying that the ministers’ presence on social media is noticeable.
Mohamad Sabu and Anthony LokeWhile Akshaan said that Rafizi is doing a splendid job of recovering and rebuilding the country’s economy following Covid-19, another student Amirul Adni said that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek got his vote because she was actively working and going to the ground to improve the nation’s education system.
“She also seems to be allocating more teachers to Sabah and Sarawak where they are needed,” he said.
Surprising returns
Perhaps, the biggest surprise was when Malaysians were asked whom they would like to draft into Anwar’s cabinet.
Nor Mashita unerringly pointed to former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“A comeback for KJ,” she said.
“I’d like to see Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman back as the youth minister,” said Peter John.
“I think he performed well last time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Thuraya went further, saying she would like to see Syed Saddiq as a prime minister one day as he cared about the welfare of the people and was brave enough to voice his opinions on the economy.
Self-employed Mohamad even called for the return of jailed ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak, saying things were better during his time.
- Mkini

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