PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet line-up announced yesterday saw the return of a number of old faces, and the return of PAS after an absence of more than 45 years.

The large cabinet of 32 ministers and 38 deputies has a cross section from the cobbled-together Perikatan Nasional-Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

The line-up – Malaysia’s second cabinet in the space of 22 months – is now being scrutinised and analysed by pundits and the public.

Here are some takeaways:

No deputy prime minister

This is a first in the nation’s history. All administrations until now have had this post, although it is not provided for in the federal constitution.

The deputy prime minister is often seen as the second most senior person in the cabinet.

In the last cabinet headed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he made history by naming the first female deputy prime minister.

Over the years, Sabah and Sarawak parties have been asking for a second deputy prime minister to cater for their interests.

However, Muhyiddin decided to do away with the DPM post and instead introduced the concept of senior ministers.

He named four senior ministers: Mohamed Azmin Ali (international trade and industry), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (defence), Fadillah Yusof (works) and Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (education) to have a functional cabinet that delivers.

He said these four senior ministers will assist him, including chairing cabinet meetings in his absence.

Strong Johor Umno representation

Muhyiddin seems to have drawn on his Johor Umno days and reeled in his one-time party men into the cabinet.

The induction of Hishammuddin Hussein as foreign minister, Dr Adham Baba (health) and Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad (rural development) is a clear sign of this and were at one time or another aligned to the Pagoh MP during his time in the party.

Other Umno leaders include Noraini Ahmad and Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

Pays to jump

The entire contingent of former PKR lawmakers who dumped the party and followed Azmin out has been rewarded.

While Azmin is one of the four senior ministers, his strong ally Zuraida Kamaruddin keeps her local government portfolio.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Abdullah has been given the Communication and Multimedia Ministry.

The others in the rebel PKR group have also been rewarded with deputy minister positions.

Similarly, those who walked out of Umno soon after GE14 – like Mustapa Mohamed, Hamzah Zainuddin and Dr Abd Latiff – have been rewarded with plum positions.

Hamzah has been given the powerful Home Ministry, while Mustapa returns to government as economic affairs minister.

Similarly, Redzuan Yusof, who wanted to leave the Pakatan Harapan pact, and Rina Harun, who was earlier unhappy about linking up with Umno, have been retained as special functions minister, and women and family development minister, respectively.

One technocrat and one mufti

After all the hype about technocrats in government, it appears that CIMB Group chief executive Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is the only person from outside the political sphere to be brought into government.

A non-politician for the Islamic affairs portfolio – Federal Territories mufti Zulkifli Mohammad al-Bakr – who is also known for his frequent post on social media for his support for English Premier League side, Liverpool.

Comeback kings

The collapse of Pakatan Harapan government paved the way back into government for Barisan Nasional.

Joining Ismail is Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa and former rural development minister, returning as Federal Territories minister after a break of almost 10 years.

Khairy Jamalauddin, who appears to have been at loggerheads with his party leadership and not on the Umno Supreme Council is back in the saddle as the science, technology and innovation minister.

Hishammuddin is also back in the picture as the foreign affairs minister.

MCA’s Dr Wee Ka Siong, whose party appeared to be dead in the water, has got a new lease of life after his appointment as transport minister.

He has single-handedly carried the torch in opposition for his party and spoken up for the Chinese community against the party’s long-time rival DAP.

MIC, with its sole MP in Dewan Rakyat, has a full ministry in the form of M. Saravanan as the human resources minister.

Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Maximus Ongkili marks his return as Sabah and Sarawak special affairs minister after his party was reduced to one seat and a dead force in state politics.

Fadillah Yusof, from GPS, gets to go back to his old portfolio at the Works Ministry. Perhaps there will be a new decision made on the Pan Borneo Highway, the main contractor for which was terminated by PH. – March 10, 2020.