The core issue here is that the Prime Minister holds exclusive authority over Cabinet reshuffles, and this topic has not been up for discussion in any Cabinet meetings—something Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasizes clearly. Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, insists that the power to reorganize Cabinet members or make appointments rests entirely with the Prime Minister himself.
He stated outright, 'There has never been a discussion in Cabinet about reshuffling... never... it is the Prime Minister's sole prerogative to reshuffle the Cabinet and designate who will be members or deputy ministers.' Zahid made these comments during a media briefing following the monthly gathering of his ministry in Putrajaya on Tuesday, November 11. His response came in the context of questions about whether the upcoming Special Cabinet Meeting might address a potential reshuffle or other related issues.
Adding a layer of context, on November 8, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick publicly announced his resignation from the federal Cabinet via Facebook, highlighting ongoing shifts within the government.
Meanwhile, Zahid clarified that the upcoming special meeting, convened and led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is specifically focused on a different, highly sensitive issue—the 40% revenue entitlement claim from Sabah. He explained that the meeting would directly tackle the claim as upheld by the Kota Kinabalu High Court.
This focus was foreshadowed when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on November 10 that a decision regarding Sabah’s 40% revenue claim would be finalized during Tuesday’s special cabinet session. Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, mentioned that the government would carefully consider advice from the Attorney General before deciding whether to pursue an appeal or not.
And this is the part most people might overlook—while discussions about revenue sharing are legally and politically complex, they also reveal the delicate balance of power and the importance of legal judgments in shaping government decisions. Do you think the Prime Minister’s exclusive authority over Cabinet reshuffles is a healthy aspect of governance, or does it risk concentrating too much power in one individual? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate worth having.
