Racing to deliver

HOW will the latest Cabinet reshuffle impact the business and economic world?

Perhaps, the most promising appointment is Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as Investment, Trade and Industry Minister.

Not only does he have more than 25 years of experience in the corporate sector, but he is also known for his finance, auditing and accounting prowess.

Combine that with a reputation for being an outspoken and articulate figure on policy and economic matters, and no one is better positioned to helm the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

He seems to be starting on the right footing, noting that Miti plays a crucial role in ensuring the nation’s economic competitiveness remains intact, and that trade and industrial policies continue to deliver tangible benefits to the people while strengthening investor confidence.

That said, it will be interesting to see how he addresses the continued criticism that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed between Malaysia and the United States, compromises the nation’s sovereignty.

He will also need to be in full negotiation mode if there are signals that the United States may impose sectoral tariffs on Malaysia’s semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.

The market is also curious how Johari will handle the massive data centre investments that Miti, under his predecessor Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, brought into the country.

Critics argue that data centre investments do not generate sufficient economic spillover effects and also drain the country’s valuable resources such as water and electricity.

Meanwhile, the new Economy Minister, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, is not well known among business and finance communities.

He is relatively young at 39, but has held deputy ministerial roles in local government development, and energy transition and water transformation.

While his training in actuarial science and economics could suit data-driven policies, some reckon his youth and relative inexperience may make it challenging for him to stamp his mark on the rollout of the Madani Economy and the 13th Malaysia Plan.​

Another notable appointment in this reshuffle is that of Liew Chin Tong as Finance Deputy Minister.

Liew’s move to the Finance Ministry places him at the centre of fiscal and economic policymaking.

During his tenure at Miti, he was involved in trade and industrial policy matters, including efforts to attract high-value investments and deepen Malaysia’s integration into regional and global supply chains.

Ultimately, the new Cabinet appointees do not have time on their side. With the government’s remaining term limited to less than two years, their impact will likely hinge on swift implementation rather than sweeping overhauls.