Latest news with #cabinetresignation
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Not much substance to the Philippines' cabinet reshuffle
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr recently called for the resignation of all cabinet secretaries after his party's poor performance in the midterm election. What does this say about his leadership? In the Philippine system, legislators and cabinet secretaries occupy two very distinct spheres. Legislators are elected by popular vote, in a test of public sentiment or campaign strength. These factors are outside the control of cabinet secretaries, who are appointed by the president based on trust. Legislators craft and pass laws. Cabinet secretaries implement laws and advise the president on matters related to their department. Using electoral outcomes to evaluate appointed officials risks blurring the line between the two spheres. It suggests their work should somehow influence voter sentiment, when they should be focused on delivering effective policy outcomes and building institutions that outlast terms of office. Certainly, the midterm election could be a measure of a president's popularity. But it is not an appropriate metric for assessing those who are not elected officials. If Marcos' intention is to bring about change without having to name underperformers, the gesture comes across more as a display of power. It avoids the more difficult job of sifting through details to address the root causes of problems and coming up with targeted solutions.
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Is Malaysia's ruling party splintering after shock resignations from Anwar's cabinet?
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim went into damage control on Thursday as he digested the departure of two key ministers who quit the cabinet after his party voted to elevate his daughter to the role of deputy and his de facto successor. To control the narrative surrounding the walkouts, Anwar stated that he has not accepted the resignations of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, instead allowing them to take time off. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the prime minister brushed aside questions of a cabinet reshuffle, saying the two portfolios are still filled. 'They are still on leave. We cannot replace ministers who are currently on leave,' he said. But the resignations – choreographed within hours of each other – appear to be a done deal, with experts suggesting they pose the biggest challenge to Anwar's administration, potentially destabilising it ahead of the next general election. Rafizi said he will be on leave until June 17 while Nik Nazmi until July 3, with both vacating their respective offices last night.
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Second Malaysian minister quits as fallout from ruling party polls spreads
Malaysia 's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad quit his post on Wednesday, the second minister to exit Anwar Ibrahim's cabinet after a bitter internal election in his ruling party that voted in the prime minister's daughter as his second-in-command. Nik Nazmi's exit follows firebrand leader Rafizi Ramli, who announced his exit from cabinet earlier Wednesday as Anwar 's administration risks falling apart from accusations of nepotism over the elevation of his daughter, Nurul Izzah, in the dominant People's Justice Party (PKR). Nurul Izzah, 44, won the race to be deputy president with 9,803 votes to replace incumbent Rafizi on Friday. In a statement, Nik Nazmi said he realised that his position as minister was heavily dependent on his previous post as PKR vice-president. 'As I was unsuccessful in defending my post in the recent party election, I have made the decision to resign as minister,' he said. More to follow ...
South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines' Marcos revamps cabinet in ‘bold reset' after midterms setback
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered the mass resignation of his cabinet in what observers view as a strategic reset aimed at regaining momentum after a stinging midterm election setback. Advertisement All cabinet-level secretaries were asked on Thursday to submit their 'courtesy resignations' to allow the president to assess their performance and 'determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration's recalibrated priorities', according to a statement from the presidential palace. The move, described by the palace as a 'bold reset', came days after only five of the president's 10 endorsed candidates secured Senate seats in the May 12 vote – a result widely seen as a political blow. Marcos framed the resignations as part of a broader effort to reassert discipline and urgency across government. 'This is not about personalities – it's about performance, alignment, and urgency,' Marcos said. 'Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognised. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over.' Presidential communications undersecretary Claire Castro said she was not aware of any specific officials being targeted for removal. As of press time, all secretaries had either tendered their resignations or announced they would comply. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) with Senate President Francis Escudero at the presidential palace in Manila on Thursday. Photo: AP Risk analyst Jonathan Ravelas, managing director of eManagement for Business and Marketing Services, told This Week in Asia this 'appears to be a strategic move to reassess performance and realign priorities after the midterm elections. It signals a push for greater accountability and results within the administration'.
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Philippines' Marcos asks cabinet secretaries to resign to enable reset
MANILA, May 22 (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has requested all cabinet secretaries to submit their resignations, a move his office described on Thursday as a "bold reset" to give him room to evaluate the performance of each department. "This is not about personalities — it's about performance, alignment, and urgency," Marcos said in a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office. "Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognised. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over."
