Malaysia appoints new HR Minister: PM Anwar's 2023 Cabinet reshuffle

Former Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim is the new Minister of Human Resources, as announced on 12 December.

Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a major Cabinet reshuffle — the first following a year of administration. 

As cited in Bernama, the restructuring of the ministries is based on current needs, involving the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change which has now been split into the Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Sustainability. The Ministry of Communications and Digital has also been split into two separate ministries: the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Digital.

With this transition, Malaysia will see the appointment of five ministers and five deputy ministers, including four new faces and the return of five former ministers in the Federal Cabinet.

To note, former Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim has been appointed as Malaysia's new Minister of Human Resources, taking over Minister V. Sivakumar. Meanwhile, former Deputy Minister of Human Resources Mustapha Sakmud will now assume the role of Deputy Higher Education Minister, taking over Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal.

Other appointments include:

• Ministry of Finance: Amir Hamzah Azizan, Chief Executive Officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has been appointed as the second finance minister.
• Ministry of Plantation and Commodities: Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani will take on the role of Minister of Plantation and Commodities. 
• Ministry of Health: Politician Dzulkefly Ahmad will assume the role of the Minister of Health, replacing Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
• Ministry of Digital: Gobind Singh Deo to take on the role of Minister of Digital.

PM Anwar will retain the role of Malaysia's Minister of Finance.

According to the Department of Information Malaysia, the Cabinet reshuffle will see the number of ministers increase from 28 to 31, and number of deputy ministers increase from 27 to 29, making the total Cabinet members of the Unity Government now 60. View the full list of Cabinet members here.

Looking ahead, PM Anwar stated in a Facebook post: "I advise that there should be no change in Cabinet in the coming year if we are in good performance, satisfactory and there are no new pressure or problems."

Lead image / Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Facebook