Political analysts have rejected calls for every party in the unity government to be represented in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said it would damage the government’s image if small parties with only one or two MPs demanded ministerial positions.
He warned that a bloated Cabinet would anger voters who expect a leaner administration.
Risks of a Larger Cabinet
Mazlan noted Anwar could cut quotas from bigger parties, but this would upset key allies more than excluding smaller ones.
He suggested smaller parties like MIC, MCA and Parti Bangsa Malaysia could instead be offered roles in government-linked companies or agencies.
The proposal came from PBM president Larry Sng, the party’s sole MP, who urged Anwar to include all coalition partners ahead of any reshuffle.
Why Representation May Backfire
Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi said appointing underperforming MPs to Cabinet simply to satisfy parties would harm the government’s reform credentials.
He added there is no guarantee these parties would remain loyal in the next general election even if given posts.
A larger Cabinet would also strain public funds through additional ministries and allocations, making efficient governance harder to achieve.
