04/06/2025

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 4, 2025

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King appoints new envoy to US

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia presented the instrument of appointment to the new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, in a ceremony at Istana Negara yesterday. Muhammad Shahrul Ikram is the former secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry. According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim’s Facebook page, the ceremony was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Sri Amran Mohamed Zin. Muhammad Shahrul Ikram replaces Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, whose term concluded on Feb 8. The Pahang-born Muhammad Shahrul Ikram holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Ecology from Universiti Malaya and has attended the Advanced

Management at Harvard Business School in the US. He started his career as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer in the Foreign Ministry in 1988 and served as Foreign Ministry secretariat chairman from Jan 6, 2019 to May 31, 2022. Throughout his 35 years in public service, he has been posted as Malaysian Ambassador to Qatar, Malaysian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York. While at the Foreign Ministry, he served as deputy secretary general (bilateral relations) and Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat director-general (during Malaysia’s 2015 Asean chairmanship). His other previous diplomatic assignments include the Malaysian missions in Vienna, Washington and Beijing. – Bernama Programme

The King presenting the instrument of appointment to Muhammad Shahrul Ikram at Istana Negara yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF ROYAL OFFICE

‘Cabinet reshuffle likely with resignation of two ministers’

Guinea-Bissau president on 3-day visit PUTRAJAYA: Republic of Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia from yesterday to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is Embalo’s first visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2020. “President Embalo will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “Discussions will centre on strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on trade and investment, agriculture, education and capacity building. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.” Anwar will host an official luncheon at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya in honour of Embalo and his delegation. Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974. In 2024, Malaysia’s total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with exports to Guinea Bissau valued at RM4.04 million and imports at RM0.06 million. – Bernama Anwar and Paetongtarn have maintained good communications through in-person meetings and phone conversations to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. They have met three times so far, with the first time being in Putrajaya in December last year, followed by Bangkok last April. Both of them also met at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last week. They have agreed to hold a joint Cabinet meeting at the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border area later this year. – Bernama

Finance Ministry portfolio, but changes could involve Miti and the Economy Ministry. Nurul Izzah Anwar might also return, given her experience.” Political analyst Dr Lim Teck Ghee agrees that Tengku Zafrul is a strong contender for the economy portfolio but cautions that technical credentials alone are not enough. “Tengku Zafrul has the financial expertise, he’s the best fit on paper. “But in our political landscape, leadership trumps technocratic ability. He’ll have limited time to make an impact. Still, his appointment could boost PKR’s image ahead of the next general election.” It was reported that Tengku Zafrul’s decision to leave Umno had impacted the party’s ministerial quota and bargaining power within the unity government, leading to calls from some Umno members for him to resign from his Cabinet position as Miti minister. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has affirmed that Tengku Zafrul would remain in his ministerial post, citing his strong performance in securing investments. and investment. Economic activities along the Thai Malaysia border are key drivers of both countries’economic development, with border trade currently accounting for more than 30% of bilateral trade. Maris said cross-border cooperation that should be further tapped are in the halal industry as well as the palm oil and rubber sectors. He said while both leaders can facilitate and coordinate the opening up of more opportunities, the results can only be achieved with the active participation of the private sectors of both countries.

Tawfik added that a by-election could pave the way for Langkah Zafrul – Zafrul’s entry into state leadership. “I expect a Cabinet reshuffle soon, and with his Senate term ending, it opens the door. Current Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shaari holds both the Sungai Tua state and Gombak parliamentary seats. “If Amirudin moves to a federal role, it would make little sense for him to keep his state seat. A by-election in Sungai Tua could clear the path for Zafrul.” Amirudin retained the Sungai Tua seat in the 15th general election with a 5,185-vote majority, defeating Perikatan Nasional’s Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin and independent G. Suman. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib believes Tengku Zafrul might stay in the Cabinet, possibly replacing Rafizi, though she doubts there would be any major shift in economic policy. “What matters is the integrity of the Economy minister. Public interest must come first, not personal or crony agendas. “We’ll have to wait for the reshuffle. The prime minister still holds the

o Tengku Zafrul may be destined for more prominent role, not at federal level but in Selangor, says academic

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

may take a different turn. According to Universiti Malaya Political Science Department senior lecturer Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub, Tengku Zafrul may be destined for a more prominent role, not at the federal level but in Selangor, the unity government’s economic engine. “I don’t see him moving to the Economy Ministry. In fact, I believe he’s being groomed for something bigger, the Selangor menteri besar post,” Tawfik told theSun via WhatsApp. “The Economy Ministry is too small compared with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) or leading Selangor. His track record in driving investments fits perfectly with Selangor’s ambition as an industrial powerhouse. After all, the state contributes 25.9% of the nation’s GDP, a microcosm of Malaysia.” “Whenever both leaders meet, I can see the strong bond between them. This is a good opportunity for Thailand and Malaysia to work closely together, not only in trading and investment, but also in human security,” he said on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit and related summits held here recently. Economic ties between the two neighbours remain robust. In 2024, Thailand was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner globally and third largest within Asean, with total trade amounting to RM114.56 billion.

PETALING JAYA: A Cabinet reshuffle now seems inevitable, whether it be a minor tweak or a major overhaul, following the recent resignations by two ministers. But one question continues to swirl – will Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz remain in government? Currently on a haj pilgrimage, the Investment, Trade and Industry minister has stepped down from all his Umno positions and signalled his intent to join PKR. While some tout Tengku Zafrul as a potential replacement for Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli as the Economy minister, the looming expiry of his Senate term casts doubt over his future in Putrajaya. In Malaysian politics, little is off the table, but Tengku Zafrul’s trajectory

Malaysia, Thailand committed to boosting ties KUALA LUMPUR: Bilateral relationship between Thailand and Malaysia is entering a new high point, with the prime ministers of both nations showing strong commitment to strengthening ties and charting a path towards greater cooperation. been a deepening of cooperation, particularly at the border areas. Between January and February this year, bilateral trade stood at RM17.65 billion, up from RM16.80 billion during the same period in 2024. Anwar and Paetongtarn have placed importance on the

development of border areas. They aim to build a thriving economic corridor along the shared border by stimulating trade and investments, as well as implementing cross-border infrastructure projects to promote better connectivity. Both sides are also prioritising the integration of Special Border Economic Zones to boost cross-border trade

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said the strong bond between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra signals a more robust and forward-looking partnership. He said under the leadership of Anwar and Paetongtarn, there has