Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim presents the Malaysian Budget 2024 in the Malaysian Parliament on October 13, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Farmer Loheni/Malaysian Ministry of Information/Handout (Reuters)/File photo Obtaining license rights
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, bringing in several changes, including portfolio changes in foreign affairs, defense and energy, and the return of a second finance minister. The company is aiming to regain trust for the first time in many years. At work.
Mr. Anwar has seen his poll numbers slump in recent months due to concerns about the economy and inflation, as well as the slow pace of promised reforms.
Anwar announced personnel changes with the creation of several new positions and said the economy, health and education were the government’s top priorities.
Among more than 20 changes, Mr. Anwar appointed a new minister of primary products and transferred incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Fadila Yusof to the newly created energy transition and utilities portfolio.
Additionally, Mohammad Hassan, deputy leader of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), was transferred from defense minister to foreign minister.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, returned Amir Hamza Azizan, an executive at Malaysia’s largest pension fund, to the post of second finance minister.
“The Ministry of Finance must have a strong team of experts, besides me as the secretary, to ensure that we are on the right track and focus on the economy,” Anwar said in a televised press conference. ” he said.
Mr Anwar heads a government made up of his progressive coalition, former rival UMNO, East Malaysian political parties and a number of smaller parties.
Anwar’s approval rating has fallen to 50% from 68% in December last year, and the government’s approval rating has also fallen to 41% from 54%, according to the latest survey released last month by the Merdeka Center, an independent polling organization.
The Merdeka Center said the sentiment was mainly driven by economic concerns. Malaysia’s economic growth rate this year has slowed significantly from 8.7% in 2022 due to a decline in exports.
Inflation has also slowed, but concerns remain over rising consumer costs due to a weakening ringgit, one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies this year.
Reporting by Danial Azhar and Rosanna Latif.Editing: Martin Petty
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