Compared to the previous Cabinet, obviously, the new Cabinet is more vital and some independent views are included. Abdullah intends to build a younger, professional and open-minded new Cabinet.

In the past 30 years, this is the first time that Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik are not included in the Cabinet.

Some old faces like Rafidah and Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor were not included in the new Cabinet line-up despite they won in the elections. It showed that they are no longer seen as the asset of the BN coalition.

Besides, the exception of Umno Youth Deputy Chief Khairy Jamaluddin in the new Cabinet as well showed the will of the Prime Minister to build a healthy and credible image for it.

The setback of BN in the elections showed the discontentment of the people on its conservative policies. After loosing its two-thirds majority, the Prime Minister has to appoint new faces to implement new policies in order to retrieve the people's support.

Those dissidents who were excluded and marginalised in Umno have been included in the Cabinet this time. Most surprisingly, vocal lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, former Kota Baru MP, was appointed as one of the ministers in the Prime Minister Department to look into judicial reform.

Zaid Ibrahim used to voice out views that could not be accepted by the mainstream group in the party, including his advocacy for the independence of the judiciary and the abolition of the Internal Security Act. He even criticised racism in the party, deviations of the New Economy Policy, as well as his belief that Malays should no longer rely on the NEP. These remarks made him isolated and was not fielded in the recent elections. And now, he is going to be appointed a Senator to be able to take his place in the Cabinet. This is significant to the conservative Umno.

Johor MP Datuk Shahrir Samad, who is also known for his independent stand, re-entered the Cabinet as the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. A year before, he was suppressed by the conservative group in the party and lost the backbenchers’ club chairman post. His open and liberal stand is believed to play a role in the government.

Also, new Minister of Information Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek is too considered as open-minded and rational and his style would be different from the former Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin's.

The power of the new Cabinet is no longer excessively concentrated as the Prime Minister does not serve concurrently as the Minister of Internal Security and Home Affairs, but to pass the power to Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar. The people are concerned about whether Syed Hamis, who is experienced in administration would implement more gentle and enlightened policies.

With professional needs, the new Cabinet line-up also included former Maybank chief executive officer Datuk Amirsham Azizas Minister in the Prime Minister Department to in charge of economic planning.

Among the new faces, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib also managed to make a comeback. It is believed that his mission would be to gain back support of the Malay community.

Through the new Cabinet line-up, we can see that Abdullah is promoting the reform agenda and implementing more enlightened policies in meeting requirements of the new era and challenges of the Opposition. (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)