Malaysia's Cabinet reshuffle: Ramanan Ramakrishnan appointed as Minister of Human Resources

Taking over from Steven Sim, he will be supported by Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

Malaysia's government recently witnessed a series of new appointments and portfolio changes across ministries, as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Cabinet reshuffle on 16 December 2025. According to MalayMail, the reshuffle sees 10 new ministers, 18 new deputy ministers, and 14 portfolio updates.

Among the changes, Ramanan Ramakrishnan was appointed the new Minister of Human Resources, taking over the role from Steven Sim, who has moved on to the role of Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives. Minister Ramanan will be supported by Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

Other notable changes include:

• Hannah Yeoh was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), relinquishing her role as Minister of Youth and Sports.
• Johari Abdul Ghani has left the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities to become Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, taking over from Tengku Zafrul Aziz.
• Former HR minister M Kulasegaran joins the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) as Deputy Minister.
• A total of six deputy ministers and one new face were promoted to full ministers, according to PM Anwar. This includes Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir's appointment as Economy Minister; and Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari's appointment as the new Youth and Sports Minister.

View the full Cabinet list here, and in the image below:

Commenting on the reshuffle, PM Anwar expressed hope that the new leadership "will work with high commitment and responsibility, ensuring that the wellbeing of the people and the interests of the country are always a priority', adding that "trust given must be implemented as best as possible to succeed in the country's development and reform agenda."

Photos / PM Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook