Finance Minister : Who will be Anwar's choice?

WHENEVER there is a general election, the whole country awaits eagerly for the in-coming of the new prime minister.

For the first time ever, no coalition parties garnered a simple majority at the 15th general election on November 19 and the country saw it's first hung parliament.

Subsequently, the country speculates on who will be the next prime minister.

And now that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been elected as the 10th prime minister and the rumour mill on who will be the finance minister is picking up speed.

In the business and economic world, the selection process of the new finance minister to be part of Anwar's Cabinet is also an eagerly anticipated affair.

So, who will be the country's new finance minister?

Anwar to wear two hats at once?

It would not be a surprise if Anwar would himself be the finance minister.

With so much at stake, Anwar would want to helm the country's finances holding it close to his heart, even though he denied it, recently.

Anwar was former deputy prime minister and finance minister some 30 years ago and he would be familiar with all the intricacies in the economics and financial sector.

Anwar is also well known internationally and his clout would expedite and smoothen fiscal matters in and outside the country.

"Anwar has the background and authority in the role of finance minister. So, he should play the first finance minister role," Professor Geoffrey Williams told DagangNews.

Understandably, Anwar would have too much on his plate as premier and thus he would need a second finance minister to assist him.

In this way, Anwar would play the supervisory role having the last and final word assisted by the second finance ministry.

Rafizi the obvious choice?

It goes without saying that Rafizi Ramli could be the obvious choice to become finance minister.

Both Anwar and Rafizi are close buddies, were former alumni’s of the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak and with close political and personal ties.

Rafizi has always been Anwar's right-hand man and the latter's loyal lieutenant ever since the formation of Parti Keadilan Rakyat in 1980.

Rafizi is also familiar face on social media via his economic think-thank Invoke, crunching the economic numbers and enlightening the rakyat on what is the 1MDB scandal is all about.

An accountant by training, Rafizi has no problem explaining and simplifying to the rakyat especially rural folks in villages about the economy, oil subsidies and other economic mumbo jumbo.

"Rafizi would be better in a general policy and a strategic role. This is his experience and expertise," Williams told DagangNews.com.

Johari coming back?

Another possible candidate that has been bandied about is Umno stalwart Datuk Abdul Johari Ghani.

Anwar would want to consider to appoint Johari to appease coalition partner  Barisan Nasional.

The corporate figure was a former finance minister before PH came to power in 2018.

The majority stake holder of Media Prima Bhd and former UDA chairman is no pushover and knows how to handle the economy.

"Johari is from BN and to appoint him to this very senior role will cause problems of acceptance. 

Johari has said this is a team effort and I agree with that but Anwar must lead the team because he had said that the economy is the top priority. 

As such economic policies must be dished out by Anwar,' said Williams.

Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia Associate Professor Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said Johari would be a good team partner with Rafizi, each counter-checking with each other.

Anwar needs to handle the PH-BN pact delicately and one way is by appointing Johari to allay any PH-BN friction.

Khairy. Would Zahid allow it?

The idea of Khairy Jamaluddin as finance minister may be far-fetched and ludicrous to some but who knows. Never say never.

Khairy had showed his mettle while he was health minister and who knows that Anwar, under a possible unity government, might make this a reality by clipping Khairy under his wing.

Furthermore, as an Oxford graduate, Khairy has the international connections to propel Malaysia among the world's top investors.

Although defeated in Sungai Buloh, Anwar could consider Anwar and appoint him as senator.

Will Zahid nominate his name? Both are really in not good terms now.

Lim Guan Eng - don't repeat, please

Let us not forget that Lim Guan Eng was the finance minister when Pakatan Harapan was in power in 2018.

Although a remote possibility, the certified accountant may make a comeback under the stewardship of Anwar.

Even though he had been instructed to stay low during GE15, it does not mean that Lim is down and out.

However, Lim could be overshadowed by his corruption trial case which could hinder his return to the Treasury.

So, who will become the new finance minister? Many would hope Anwar won't repeat 2018's mistake of appointing him.

All await Anwar's new cabinet line-up with bated breaths. - DagangNews.com