Najib considers change in way Cabinet is selected

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — When Datuk Seri Najib Razak reviews the performance of his Cabinet in November, one of the trademark features of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government could be tested: The allocation of positions along party, racial and geographical lines.

Government sources told The Malaysian Insider the prime minister is seriously considering revamping the main criteria used in selecting ministers and deputy ministers.

For as long as BN has governed, prime ministers have based their selection of ministers on the seniority of BN component parties, the number of seats held by a party in Parliament, and based on a racial and geographical breakdown.

Implicit was the belief that all component parties should be rewarded, regardless of the performance and track record of its ministers and deputy ministers in previous administrations.

So this has meant that MCA could always count on having four ministerial positions and a clutch of deputy ministerships while MIC and Gerakan were guaranteed at least one senior Cabinet post.

Traditionally, the Health and Transport Ministries have been the purview of MCA. The lion’s share of Cabinet positions has been given to Umno.

But officials and Umno insiders said that Najib believes the main consideration of an appointment as minister and deputy minister should be an elected representative’s track record of service and his or her ability to deliver on the promises of the Najib administration.

The PM believes that he would be limiting himself if he continues to be hamstrung by the old criteria, especially given the weak state of the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP.

Najib is considering selecting his Cabinet based on performance. — file pic

All these BN parties have two things in common: they are in the midst of debilitating political infighting and can no longer say they command the support of their constituencies.

So if these parties do not resolve their issues quickly and reconnect with their communities, there is a possibility that they may end up with fewer positions in Cabinet.

Najib’s rethink on a new approach also comes at a time when Sabah and Sarawak BN parties are demanding more recognition consistent with their greater political pull.

If Najib goes ahead and uses these new criteria in selecting ministers and deputy ministers, the big winner could be Umno.

The reason being, while race may no longer be the main criteria used for selection as ministers or deputy ministers, the ruling party is the most stable in the BN stable.

Sources have said there will not be wholesale changes made in November, just minor tweaks.

They also caution that best intentions can be overridden by political realities, noting that Najib initially pencilled a slimmed down Cabinet in April but changed his mind after being lobbied vigorously by politicians, royalty and other vested parties.