# Cabinet of Malaysia

The Cabinet of Malaysia (Malay: Jemaah Menteri Malaysia) is the executive branch of the Government of Malaysia. Led by the Prime Minister, the cabinet is a council of ministers who are accountable collectively to the Parliament. According to the Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, members of the Cabinet can only be selected from members of either houses of Parliament. Formally, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints all Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The constitution is amended by repealing the Clause (8) of Article 43, enabling a person who is a member of State Legislative Assembly to continue to serve even while serving as a minister or deputy minister in the cabinet. Ministers other than the Prime Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, unless the appointment of any Minister shall have been revoked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister but any Minister may resign from office. In practice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is obliged to follow the advice of the Prime Minister on the appointment and dismissal of ministers.

## Cabinet appointments

Members of the Cabinet must be members of either house of Parliament. Most ministers are appointed from the lower house, the Dewan Rakyat, although a few are appointed from the upper house, the Dewan Negara. The Prime Minister must be a member of the Dewan Rakyat. Although Deputy Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries may be appointed to each portfolio, they are not included in the Cabinet. The Cabinet meets weekly, every Wednesday. After the position of Parliamentary Secretary was removed and partial live telecasts of Parliament proceedings began in 2008, Cabinet meetings were moved to Fridays whenever Parliament sat, so as to allow Ministers to personally answer questions during Question Time in Parliament.

## Cabinet composition

The composition of the Cabinet, and the number of portfolios depends mainly on the wishes of the Prime Minister at the time. However, the post of Finance Minister was considered so important as to be a necessity, and as a result was incorporated by the Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act 1957 (Act 375). The position of Deputy Prime Minister is one that exists by convention, and as a result a Prime Minister could theoretically form a Cabinet without a Deputy.
Deputy ministers exist for each portfolio, although they are not considered members of the Cabinet. The position of Deputy Minister was created by constitutional amendment in 1960. The office of parliamentary secretary for each ministry exists but none were appointed after the 2008 Malaysian general election. Parliamentary secretaries were provided for by an amendment in 1963. Deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries are also appointed from members of Parliament, and deputise for the ministers in government ministries and in Parliament respectively. An additional office, that of the Political Secretary, exists. Political Secretaries need not be members of Parliament. Before taking office, all members of the Cabinet, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, and Political Secretaries take an oath of secrecy concerning the proceedings of the Cabinet.

## Functions of cabinet

An outline of the functions of the Cabinet are as follows:
* To formulate national economic policies and development programmes.
** The Cabinet is responsible to formulate various development programs and projects for the development of the country. Examples are the New Economic Policy (NEP), the National Development Policy (NDP), and the National Vision Policy (NVP).
* To set the budget and finance of the country.
** The government is allowed to generate revenues from the people through the collection of taxes, fines, summons, custom duties, fees, etc.
** The government is allowed to plan for the various development programs, and also to allocate the resources for these development plans and programs.
* As an arena for suggestions, debates, and criticisms.
** The Cabinet is allowed to discuss almost any issues of national interests, except those that touch on the special rights of the Malays, Bumiputeras and/or royal privileges. Article 153 (1): It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and Natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
* To propose and amend the law.
** Law is proposed by the Executive and introduce in Parliament with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings for approval.
** Most provisions for the amendments of the constitution requires a 2/3 majority of the total number of members from both of the Houses (Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat)
** The bill must be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the final assent.

## List of cabinets

23 cabinets have taken place in Malaysia since 1957 headed by nine Prime Ministers.
| No. | Name of Cabinet | Head of Cabinet | Period of Office | Composition |
| 1 | Rahman I | Tunku Abdul Rahman | 31 August 1957 – 19 August 1959 | 13 ministers |
| 2 | Rahman II | Tunku Abdul Rahman | 22 August 1959 – 24 April 1964 | 16 ministers 6 assistant ministers |
| 3 | Rahman III | Tunku Abdul Rahman | 25 April 1964 – 1969 | 20 ministers 5 assistant ministers 4 parliamentary secretaries |
| 4 | Rahman IV | Tunku Abdul Rahman | 1969 – 21 December 1970 | 9 ministers |
| 5 | Razak I | Abdul Razak Hussein | 22 December 1970 – 24 August 1974 | 22 ministers 7 deputy ministers 5 parliamentary secretaries |
| 6 | Razak II | Abdul Razak Hussein | 25 August 1974 – 14 January 1976 | 20 ministers 16 deputy ministers 9 parliamentary secretaries |
| 7 | Hussein I | Hussein Onn | 15 January 1976 – 8 July 1978 | 22 ministers 20 deputy ministers 8 parliamentary secretaries |
| 8 | Hussein II | Hussein Onn | 9 July 1978 – 15 July 1981 | 23 ministers 22 deputy ministers 9 parliamentary secretaries |
| 9 | Mahathir I | Mahathir Mohamad | 16 July 1981 – 21 April 1982 | 24 ministers 22 deputy ministers 10 parliamentary secretaries |
| 10 | Mahathir II | Mahathir Mohamad | 22 April 1982 – 2 August 1986 | 24 ministers 29 deputy ministers 9 parliamentary secretaries |
| 11 | Mahathir III | Mahathir Mohamad | 11 August 1986 – 26 October 1990 | 24 ministers 31 deputy ministers 10 parliamentary secretaries |
| 12 | Mahathir IV | Mahathir Mohamad | 22 October 1990 – 3 May 1995 | 26 ministers 30 deputy ministers 14 parliamentary secretaries |
| 13 | Mahathir V | Mahathir Mohamad | 4 May 1995 – 14 December 1999 | 30 ministers 27 deputy ministers 14 parliamentary secretaries |
| 14 | Mahathir VI | Mahathir Mohamad | 15 December 1999 – 2 November 2003 | 30 ministers 28 deputy ministers 16 parliamentary secretaries |
| 15 | Abdullah I | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi | 3 November 2003 – 26 March 2004 | 31 ministers 29 deputy ministers 16 parliamentary secretaries |
| 16 | Abdullah II | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi | 27 March 2004 – 18 March 2008 | 34 ministers 39 deputy ministers 20 parliamentary secretaries |
| 17 | Abdullah III | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi | 19 March 2008 – 9 April 2009 | 32 ministers 38 deputy ministers |
| 18 | Najib I | Najib Razak | 10 April 2009 – 15 May 2013 | 33 ministers 40 deputy ministers |
| 19 | Najib II | Najib Razak | 16 May 2013 – 9 May 2018 | 38 ministers 34 deputy ministers |
| 20 | Mahathir VII | Mahathir Mohamad | 10 May 2018 – 24 February 2020 | 28 ministers 27 deputy ministers |
| 21 | Muhyiddin | Muhyiddin Yassin | 1 March 2020 – 16 August 2021 | 32 ministers 38 deputy ministers |
| 22 | Ismail Sabri | Ismail Sabri Yaakob | 27 August 2021 – 24 November 2022 | 32 ministers 38 deputy ministers |
| 23 | Anwar | Anwar Ibrahim | 24 November 2022 – present | 31 ministers 29 deputy ministers |

## Current Cabinet

The current cabinet, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, succeeds the Ismail Sabri cabinet. Anwar formed his cabinet following the 2022 General Election.
As of 12 December 2023, the makeup of the current Cabinet is as follows:
Anwar Ibrahim cabinet :
| Minister | Office(s) | Department(s) | Took office |
| The Rt Hon. Anwar Ibrahim MP for Tambun | Prime Minister Minister of Finance | Prime Minister's Department Ministry of Finance | 24 November 2022 |
| The Rt Hon. Zahid Hamidi MP for Bagan Datuk | Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Rural and Regional Development | Prime Minister's Department Ministry of Rural and Regional Development | 3 December 2022 |
| The Rt Hon. Fadillah Yusof MP for Petra Jaya | Deputy Prime Minister | Prime Minister's Department | 3 December 2022 |
| The Rt Hon. Fadillah Yusof MP for Petra Jaya | Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation | Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Anthony Loke MP for Seremban | Minister of Transport | Ministry of Transport | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Mohamad Sabu MP for Kota Raja | Minister of Agriculture and Food Security | Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Rafizi Ramli MP for Pandan | Minister of Economy | Ministry of Economy | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Nga Kor Ming MP for Teluk Intan | Minister of Housing and Local Government | Ministry of Housing and Local Government | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Mohamad Hasan MP for Rembau | Minister of Foreign Affairs | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Alexander Nanta Linggi MP for Kapit | Minister of Works | Ministry of Works | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail Senator | Minister of Home Affairs | Ministry of Home Affairs | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Tengku Zafrul Aziz Senator | Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry | Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Khaled Nordin MP for Kota Tinggi | Minister of Defence | Ministry of Defence | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Chang Lih Kang MP for Tanjong Malim | Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation | Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Nancy Shukri MP for Santubong | Minister of Women, Family and Community Development | Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Azalina Othman Said MP for Pengerang | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) | Prime Minister's Department | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad MP for Setiawangsa | Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Ewon Benedick MP for Penampang | Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development | Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Zambry Abdul Kadir Senator | Minister of Higher Education | Ministry of Higher Education | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Tiong King Sing MP for Bintulu | Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture | Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Fahmi Fadzil MP for Lembah Pantai | Minister of Communications | Ministry of Communications | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Fadhlina Sidek MP for Nibong Tebal | Minister of Education | Ministry of Education | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Aaron Ago Dagang MP for Kanowit | Minister of National Unity | Ministry of National Unity | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Dr. Na'im Mokhtar Senator | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) | Prime Minister's Department | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Hannah Yeoh MP for Segambut | Minister of Youth and Sports | Ministry of Youth and Sports | 3 December 2022 |
| Hon. Dr. Zaliha Mustafa MP for Sekijang | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) | Prime Minister's Department | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Armizan Mohd Ali MP for Papar | Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living | Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Johari Abdul Ghani MP for Titiwangsa | Minister of Plantation and Commodities | Ministry of Plantation and Commodities | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Gobind Singh Deo MP for Damansara | Minister of Digital | Ministry of Digital | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad MP for Kuala Selangor | Minister of Health | Ministry of Health | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Amir Hamzah Azizan Senator | Minister of Finance II | Ministry of Finance | 12 December 2023 |
| Hon. Steven Sim MP for Bukit Mertajam | Minister of Human Resources | Ministry of Human Resources | 12 December 2023 |

## Inactive portfolios

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
* Ministry of Agriculture
* Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
* Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives
* Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
* Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries
* Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
* Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Communications
* Ministry of Communications
* Ministry of Communications and Multimedia
* Ministry of Communications, Telecommunications and Posts
* Ministry of Information
* Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
* Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture
* Ministry of Information, Communications, Arts and Culture
Ministry of Digital
* (N/A)
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living
* Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
* Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism
Ministry of Economy
* Ministry of Economic Affairs
* Ministry of General Planning and Sosio-Economic Research
Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation
* Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia
* Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change
* Ministry of Energy, Technology and Research
* Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and Posts
* Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications
* Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities
Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives
* Ministry of Coordination of Public Corporations
* Ministry of Public Enterprises
* Ministry of Entrepreneur Development
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of Finance
* (N/A)
Ministry of Home Affairs
* Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice
* Ministry of Internal Security
* Ministry of Justice
* Ministry of Law
* Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of Human Resources
* Ministry of Labour
* Ministry of Labour and Manpower
* Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry
* Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* Ministry of International Trade and Industry
* Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability
* Ministry of Environment and Water
* Ministry of Lands and Co-operatives Development
* Ministry of Lands and Mines
* Ministry of Lands Development
* Ministry of Lands and Regional Development
* Ministry of Natural Resources
* Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change
Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities
* Ministry of Primary Industries
Ministry of Rural and Regional Development
* Ministry of National and Rural Development
* Ministry of Rural Development
* Ministry of Rural Economy Development
Ministry of Science and Technology
* Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
* Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Malaysia)
* Ministry of Technology, Research and Local Government
Ministry of Tourism
* Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage
* Ministry of Culture and Tourism
* Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism
* Ministry of National Unity and Community Development
* Ministry of National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
* Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
* Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Ministry of Local Government Development
* Ministry of Federal Territories
* Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing
* Ministry of Housing and Local Government
* Ministry of Housing and New Villages
* Ministry of Housing and Villages Development
* Ministry of Local Government and Environment
* Ministry of Local Government and Federal Territories
* Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Town Planning
* Ministry of Technology, Research and Coordination of New Villages
* Ministry of Territories
* Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government
* Ministry of Federal Territories
* Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing
Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
* Ministry of General Welfare
* Ministry of National Unity
* Ministry of Social Welfare
* Ministry of Welfare Services
* Ministry of Women and Family Development
Ministry of Works
* Ministry of Works and Energy
* Ministry of Works and Public Amenities
* Ministry of Works and Transport
* Ministry of Works, Posts and Telecommunications
Ministry of Youth and Sports
* Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
* Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports
Ministry of Health
* Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
* Minister with Special Functions
* Minister with Special Functions for Foreign Affairs
* Minister without Portfolio
Others
* Chief Minister of Malaya
* Ministry of Sabah Affairs
* Ministry of Sarawak Affairs