Khairy Jamaluddin set for cabinet comeback this December?

Khairy Jamaluddin set for cabinet comeback this December?

SHAH ALAM – As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle in December, one familiar name continues to surface, exiled former Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

According to MalaysiaGazette, the upcoming reshuffle is expected to be one of the most comprehensive since the formation of the Madani government, focusing on strengthening the economic team, streamlining the Cabinet and improving policy implementation.

A senior party insider reportedly said the changes would not be merely symbolic.

“This reshuffle is not cosmetic. It is a carefully designed structural reform to ensure a smaller, more efficient and policy-driven administration,” the source reportedly said.

Khairy, who last served as Health Minister under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from 2021-2022, is expected to as the Environment and Water Minister – a major comeback after being ousted by his own party.

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Sources claimed he would replace Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who resigned as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister after losing in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party elections earlier this year.

“The decision has been finalised,” the insider claimed.

Meanwhile, Umno’s top leadership is also said to be preparing to reinstate Khairy’s party membership after his earlier expulsion.

The reshuffle is also expected to see significant changes within the economic portfolio, with Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani tipped to lead the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, replacing Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The Economic Ministry is expected to be merged under the Finance Ministry, returning to a structure similar to the former Economic Planning Unit.

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PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan is also expected to be promoted as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, succeeding Datuk Ewon Benedick, who recently resigned. Several deputy ministers are also likely to be reassigned as part of smaller adjustments.

Several senators currently serving as ministers are also expected to have their terms renewed for a second term in the Dewan Negara to maintain administrative continuity.

Among them are Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

Younger leaders are also being considered for inclusion, including PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Sungai Petani MP Taufiq Johari as part of efforts to increase youth representation in the administration.

Datuk Ruji Ubi from Sabah is also among the names reportedly being considered to fill the state’s quota in the new line-up. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, however, is expected to remain in his post until at least 2026.

Earlier, Zambry had hinted that a reshuffle might take place “within the next two or three weeks” during his closing speech at the 2025 Festival of Ideas (FOI) in Putrajaya.

His current Senate term ends on Dec 2, after being sworn in on Dec 3, 2022.

He was appointed as Foreign Minister before assuming the Higher Education portfolio. Also sworn in on the same day were Saifuddin, Mohd Na’im and Tengku Zafrul.