Fresh from signing in as cabinet ministers, the new team led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under the unity government brand has expressed their determination to carry out their duties and responsibilities to the utmost of their abilities.
Besides focusing on improving ministry policies, the newly elected ministers promised to resolve problems faced by Malaysians under the jurisdiction of their ministries.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said efforts to resolve the protests by contract doctors will be her main agenda in line with the promises outlined in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto for the 15th general election while at the same time she said she will pay attention to matters like healthcare infrastructure and services.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who has been appointed to the Cabinet for the first time, is also the first woman appointed as Health Minister together with another newcomer, Education Minister Fadlina Sidek aims to establish an advisors’ committee to identify and tackle major issues at the ministry, in addition to rearranging planning to improve the country’s education system.
Probably the cabinet with the highest number of females, Youth, and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh joins the cast in developing youth capabilities, driving athlete excellence, and ensuring sports professionals can perform and carry out their duties without political intervention to create a more competitive industry she said.
The Foreign Ministry portfolio is being helmed by former Perak Besar Perak, Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, who said that his main agenda was to strengthen the country’s foreign policy and lift Malaysia’s name to greater heights internationally by translating the idealism of foreign policies brought by the prime minister. Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad shared that he wanted to focus on implementing more sustainable development initiatives and environmental conservation to reduce the impact of extreme climate change, including flash floods and landslides.
Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook said he aims to tackle several important issues requiring an immediate attention, including improving the transport system services, especially the Light Rail Transit (LRT) service in the Klang Valley.
For Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli, he plans to focus on efforts that will stablise the country within these two weeks, before focusing fully on initiatives that can drive and build the country’s economy.
“On my side, the challenge and main focus are how we can place the direction of the country’s economy on the right track of raising the incomes of Malaysians,” he said, voicing his optimism that the Cabinet would be capable of leading the country forward harmoniously.
With That Settled, Get To Work
With the appointment now completed, the task is heavy on PM Anwar’s shoulders who is also the Finance Minister in delivering his promises of reviving Malaysia as the Asian powerhouse that he has said numerous times if he becomes the leader.
His team selection is rather not the ideal ‘dream team’ a Prime Minister would have wished for, but Anwar will have to accept the personals as agreed upon under the unity pact. As head coach, he will now have to get his Ministers to function in unison without personal or hidden agendas to achieve his aspirations of good governance, corruption free, and drive the country’s economy not just forward but ahead of others in the region.
They will also have to do all of the above, with PN and PAS snapping at the heels. The sore Tan Sri Muhyiddin will not make it any easier for Anwar, as he has already called the PM’s cabinet the worst ever in Malaysia!
However, the biggest critic will be Malaysians both those who voted PH and those on the opposite track. Citizens expect major changes after making their choice at the ballot box, they want to see improvements in the cost of living and will be impatient. They will closely monitor every move Anwar and his cabinet make, shining the spotlight directly on the line-up and every ministry they lead.
For the first time since independence, the Ministerial job is an unenvious one and the team will have it cut out for them.
