“Esok umum, angkat sumpah hari Jumaat … Ambil berkat Jumaat.” (literally, “Tomorrow announce, take oath of office on Friday … Accept Friday’s blessing”) was the darnedest response among members of the media in the WhatsApp group chat administered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s communications team.
In fact, the prediction of tomorrow as the day Anwar would unveil who’s who in his unity government by the journalist of a Malay daily makes valid sense given that Fridays (especially after Friday’s prayers) are perceived to be a holy day for Muslims.
With four days left to the weekend (including today), tomorrow (Dec 2) also seems a good bet given that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah himself will be departing for an official visit abroad on Saturday (Dec 3).
This leaves without shadow of a doubt that if the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman were to make known his Cabinet line-up within this week, the D-Day is very likely tomorrow (Dec 2).
If he doesn’t do so, then Anwar could choose to make his announcement this weekend which would then allow him more time to better ponder who’s the best men (or women) for the job.
There is also a possibility that Saturday (Dec 3) – the day the Agong is scheduled to leave for his official visit – will be the second likely day for Anwar to reveal his Cabinet line-up.
Recall that Anwar’s predecessor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob made the announcement on the dissolution of Parliament on the afternoon of Oct 10 which was the same day when Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah departed for London (later that evening) to officiate the opening of the Battersea Power Station, Malaysia’s iconic project in London and to meet King Charles III.
Or if the announcement doesn’t come on Saturday (Dec 3), then Sunday (Dec 4) can also be a possible choice provided that the King has consented Anwar to make the eagerly awaited announcement during his absence.
After all, the Agong had on 5pm on Tuesday (Nov 29) granted an audience to Anwar at Istana Negara – his first face-to-face session with the King since receiving his letter of appointment and completing his swearing in ceremony as Malaysia’s 10th PM on Nov 24.
However, it was unclear what was discussed between Anwar and the Agong,
Likewise, clues are hardly to be found with Anwar a day earlier (Monday, Nov 28) explaining that he need more time to consider all views before unveiling a leaner Cabinet for his unity government.
Given the complicated task at hand for Anwar to shoulder – especially as he does not intend to have a bloated Cabinet nor underperforming Cabinet members – perhaps Malaysians should accord Anwar the flexibility of time to build a formidable team for his administration.
This is despite some political observers pointing out that Anwar could perhaps fill up the positions for critical portfolios first (such as Deputy Prime Minister I and Finance Minister). – Dec 1, 2022
