GEORGETOWN, PENANG, MALAYSIA, December 20, 2025 – Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid has accused PAS of manufacturing fear and political theatre following the Islamist party’s criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent Cabinet reshuffle.
In a strongly worded media statement dated December 18, the DAP lawmaker dismissed claims by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan that the reshuffle signalled a “strategy to boost DAP’s dominance” in urban areas, particularly through appointments in the Federal Territories portfolio.
Takiyuddin had raised concerns over the appointment of Hannah Yeoh as Federal Territories Minister and Tawau MP Lo Su Fui (from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) as her deputy, alongside the retention of DAP’s Nga Kor Ming in Housing and Local Government. He argued this concentrated power among leaders of the same ethnicity and party, potentially creating an imbalance.
Syerleena countered that Cabinet reshuffles are a standard practice in parliamentary systems to enhance performance and coordination, and only become a “crisis” when deliberately misrepresented.
“There is nothing extraordinary or alarming about a Cabinet reshuffle,” she said. “Portraying this routine process as something sinister is not political vigilance; it is political theatre.”
The reshuffle, announced on December 16, involved significant changes including 10 new ministers, 18 new deputy ministers, and portfolio swaps for 14 others. It followed vacancies from resignations and expired senate terms, with Anwar describing it as necessary for better economic focus and team coordination.
Syerleena, who identifies as a Muslim woman in politics, further criticised PAS for pushing a narrative that equates cooperation in the unity government with “centralisation” or a threat to identity.
“As a Muslim, I state this without hesitation: Islam does not teach us to govern through panic and suspicion,” she asserted. “It teaches amanah, justice, and accountability.”
She emphasised that Malaysians voted for the unity government to reject single-party domination, choosing “cooperation over chaos” and “stability over endless brinkmanship.”
“What truly threatens democracy is paralysis, cynicism, and the deliberate poisoning of public trust,” Syerleena added, urging focus on cost-of-living issues rather than “manufactured outrage.”
PAS’s remarks have drawn broader criticism, with analysts warning that racialising the appointments could alienate non-Muslim voters from the opposition. Prime Minister Anwar has also rejected criticisms based on race, calling them “atrocious.”
The unity government, formed after the 2022 hung parliament, continues to navigate coalition dynamics amid preparations for the next general election, due by early 2028.
Syerleena concluded: “Malaysia’s future will not be decided by who cries ‘threat’ the loudest. It will be decided by who governs responsibly, works constructively, and delivers for the rakyat.”
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