Malaysians are bracing for a Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of two ministers – Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad – in what analysts say marks a turning point for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Both were key figures in Anwar’s reformist bloc and senior leaders in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the backbone party of the unity government.
Their resignations, announced today, came just days after PKR’s internal elections, where Rafizi lost his deputy presidency to Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, and Nik Nazmi failed to retain his vice-presidency. Both men cited their loss of party mandate as the reason for quitting the Cabinet.
In a brief statement, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Anwar had received letters from the two ministers seeking leave, and resigning from their Cabinet posts. After reviewing the requests, the prime minister agreed to grant both ministers leave. It added that any further decisions on the matter would be announced in due course.
The resignations have intensified speculation that a Cabinet shake-up is imminent and inevitable, but Anwar remained unfazed. After two busy days at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he spent the evening at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, watching Manchester United, take on the Asean All-Stars. He was accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
“It is no longer a question of whether there will be a Cabinet reshuffle. With two resignations, the question now is, when,” said Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, Director of the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Dr Lau Zhe Wei, a political professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, agreed.
“The reshuffle will happen. With two resignations, Anwar now has more positions to rotate and redistribute within the coalition,” said Lau.
PKR leads the unity government formed after the 2022 general election failed to produce a clear winner. The coalition was formed with support from Umno and political blocs from Sabah and Sarawak.
Analysts say the resignations may open the door to recalibrating Cabinet representation, potentially strengthening ties with coalition partners or allowing Anwar to reassert control over internal party dynamics.
“It won’t be a big reshuffle. Anwar just needs two people from the party to fill the positions. If not Nurul Izzah, then somebody else from the party,” said Azmi Hasan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research.
Anwar has yet to comment publicly on the resignations. However, last week, prior to the party elections on Friday, he dismissed speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle, saying the outcome of the elections would have no bearing on his Cabinet lineup.
Despite the resignations, Azeem said it would not have an effect on Malaysia’s political stability or investor confidence.
“This is not a unique case. It won’t destabilise the government or impact investments. Although the two posts were held by PKR members, their successors may not come from the party. The prime minister can reassign portfolios (after discussion with coalition partners),” he said.
Rafizi out, Nurul Izzah in?
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi’s departure has potentially cleared the way for Nurul Izzah, now PKR deputy president, to join her father’s Cabinet.
“She will be in the Cabinet sooner or later. It will be odd if Nurul Izzah, who is poised to become party president after Anwar’s term ends and is likely to be the party’s future PM candidate, holds no position in the government,” Lau told Twentytwo13.
Anwar’s time as party president is almost over. The party constitution limits a president to three terms.
“With PKR, it is about legacy,” Lau added.
Still, appointing Nurul Izzah could open Anwar to renewed criticism of nepotism – a sensitive issue for a government that has staked its legitimacy on reform and transparency.
In a statement Wednesday, Nurul Izzah commended Rafizi for his principled leadership, saying he had brought new ideas and shifted Malaysia’s discourse on governance, transparency and economic justice.
“I respect him. I believe he can still contribute meaningfully to the country’s future, wherever he goes next,” she said.
Cracks in the party
While some analysts said that Nurul Izzah’s landslide win in the party election against Rafizi reflects strong grassroots support, others see signs of deeper division within PKR.
“There is a serious crack in the party. The number of votes is only a fraction of the total PKR membership of nearly 1.2 million,” said Azeem.
He said it’s unclear if the resignations will lead to further turmoil but expects both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi to stay on as members.
As for potential cooperation between Nurul Izzah and Rafizi moving forward, Azeem was sceptical.
“With how things played out during the campaign, they would not work together anytime soon. Maybe when the next general election approaches. We will have to wait and see,” he said.
