Armizan praises Cabinet professionalism amid political shifts

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 AUGUST 2026 —

Domestic trade and cost‑of‑living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said on Thursday that the Cabinet’s “harmonious, constructive and professional” relations reflect a new level of political maturity, despite public barbs among party operatives.

Armizan said the steady tone of Cabinet meetings “is built on a commitment to form a unity consensus as part of ensuring the country has a stable government to drive the nation’s development and preserve the people’s wellbeing.” He linked that consensus to the unity‑government agreement signed on 16 December 2022, which set the framework for cooperation among the three coalitions after the 2022 general election.

The minister highlighted that the current political climate differs markedly from the era of one‑party dominance. He pointed to the deterioration of ties between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) after the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, where BN worked with Perikatan Nasional in the latter contest.

“The frequent change in prime ministers between 2018 and 2022 within a single parliamentary term was not a good formula to build sustainable national prosperity,” Armizan said, underscoring the need for parties to balance their own interests with the broader responsibility of national stability.

Armizan, who also serves as Papar MP, said the observed professionalism among senior leaders demonstrates that “all sides must accept the need for cooperation and compromise” in a fragmented parliamentary landscape. He added that the external observer who noted the Cabinet’s conduct was not directly linked to the new dynamics between the key parties, implying that the assessment came from an independent source.

The minister’s comments come as Malaysia’s economy continues to grapple with cost‑of‑living pressures and supply‑chain disruptions. By emphasizing Cabinet cohesion, Armizan signalled to businesses that policy continuity is likely to be maintained, reducing uncertainty for domestic trade and consumer‑price outlooks.

He concluded the post by expressing gratitude for the “political maturity” shown by his colleagues, saying it “reflects the political maturity and sense of responsibility shared by the ministers.” The statement marks the latest public endorsement of the unity government’s collaborative approach as Malaysia commemorates its independence.

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