00:00Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appears intent on keeping the religious affairs portfolio apolitical
00:07based on the recent cabinet reshuffle, according to analysts.
00:11Academy Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said the promotion of Zulkifli Hassan to religious affairs minister
00:17and Mahama Rosli's appointment as his deputy showed that Anwar wanted to keep the portfolio free
00:23from the liabilities of political parties.
00:26Zulkifli, a senator, was an academic with International Islamic University Malaysia
00:32while Mahama is a religious teacher.
00:35Shaza Shukri of IIUM said the portfolio was highly sensitive and risky
00:40given pastor's strength in delivering religious narratives which add pressure on the government.
00:46A central Amana youth leader had asked why none of the party's leaders were considered for the portfolio
00:52citing candidates such as Amana Deputy President Mujahid Yusof Rawah
00:57who served as Religious Affairs Minister from 2018 to 2020.
01:02However, Shaza said Amana lacked the bargaining power to lobby for additional posts in the government
01:08especially the religious affairs portfolio given its importance.
01:12Mirato, FMT.
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