Political Secretary is a constitutional office in Malaysia. As a member of the Federal Government, a Political Secretary is appointed by the Prime Minister [1] either on his own choice or on the advice of a Minister.
There has been no clear description of duties and responsibilities of a Political Secretary. In general, however, a Political Secretary is tasked to assist political duties of a Minister and provide the latter with appropriate advice on political situations in such constituency, such state or Malaysia at large. Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abdullah Saidol explained that a Political Secretary is expected to heed, support and inform to the people, development policies and programmes planned by the Government. [2]
As of 27 January 2023 [update] , the following individuals have been appointed as political secretaries to the Anwar Ibrahim cabinet. They have served since December 2022. Presently, there have been 36 political secretaries serving the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The following individuals were appointed as political secretaries to the Ismail Sabri cabinet. [8] They served from September or November 2021 to the dissolution of the cabinet in November 2022. There were 32 political secretaries serving the Prime Minister, Senior Ministers and Ministers. [9]
Portfolio | Office holder | Took offices | Left offices |
---|---|---|---|
Prime Minister's Political Secretary | Syed Mohd Fahmi Sayid Mohammad | 27 September 2021 / November 2021 | 24 November 2022 |
Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus | |||
Khairulnizam bin Mohamad Zuldin | |||
Political Secretary to Senior Minister, Ministry of International Trade and Industry | Muhammad Hilman Idham | ||
Political Secretary to Senior Minister, Ministry of Defence | Abd Halim bin Abd Jalil | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Finance | Haji Rizam bin Haji Ismail | ||
Political Secretary to Senior Minister, Ministry of Works | Hamzah Brahim | ||
Political Secretary to Senior Minister, Ministry of Education | Fadli Hafiz Mohd Yusoff | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Transport | Ling Tian Soon | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Human Resources | Khamarulazlan Mohamad Hanafiah | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs | Jonnybone J. Kurum | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries | Zulkifli bin Mohd Alwi | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Environment and Water | Dr. Mohd. Zuhdi Marsuki | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Home Affairs | Mohamed Farid bin Mohamed Zawawi | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs | - | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Energy and Natural Resources | Mohd Syahir bin Che Sulaiman | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Higher Education | Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Women, Family and Community Development | Mohd Ariffin bin Mohd Razid | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Communications and Multimedia | Budiman Mohd Zohdi | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Housing and Local Government | Ahmad Darus | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Health | Megat Firdouz Megat Junid | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of National Unity | Haliza Abdullah | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation | Norshida Ibrahim | ||
Political Secretary to Minister for the Economy | Zahari Kechik | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs | Muhammad Mujahidin Zulkifli | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities | Nor Hizwan Ahmad | ||
Political Secretary to Minister for Special Functions | Muhammad Islahuddin bin Abas | ||
Political Secretary to Minister for Parliament and Law | Syed Hamzah Syed Paie | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture | Mohammed Kamaluddin Hj. Mohd Effendie | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Rural Development | Muhamad Nur Aizat bin Noor Azam | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperative | Kamaruzzaman bin Johari | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Federal Territories | - | ||
Political Secretary to Minister of Youth and Sports | Mohd Hafez Mubin bin Mohd Salleh | ||
Political Secretary to Minister for Religious Affairs | Wan Rohimi Wan Daud |
State governments have appointed Political Secretaries as well. Appointment of state political secretaries, however, determined by the state through enactments and decisions of state executive council or cabinet. Roles and responsibilities of a state political secretary is similar to those of a federal political secretary.
In states of Peninsular Malaysia, a Political Secretary is appointed by the head of respective State Government and serves political affairs of the latter only.
In Sabah, each Minister is provided with a Political Secretary appointed by the Chief Minister on the advice of such Minister. Only Chief Minister can appoint up to four Political Secretaries for himself.
Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg has 32 political secretaries all over Sarawak. [2]
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