Barisan Nasional (BN), under the second-term leadership of then UMNO president Najib Razak, was defeated in the 14th General Election and became the Opposition in the Parliament for the first time in Malaysian history. Rembau Member of Parliament (MP) Khairy Jamaluddin promised a shadow cabinet if he was elected UMNO president. He made such a promise to demonstrate the ability of BN to be a formidable opposition in the Parliament.[4] But the majority of UMNO divisions elected former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as president. He was later formalised by the Parliament as Leader of the Opposition replacing current Deputy Prime MinisterWan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Khairy continued to call for the establishment of a shadow cabinet from Zahid despite being defeated in the UMNO presidential election. Khairy had even claimed that BN has established a shadow cabinet and its MPs were given portfolios,[4] which was confirmed by UMNO secretary-general, Ketereh MP Annuar Musa, on 26 July.[5] However, this claim was dismissed by Zahid on 4 August.[6]
In previous parliamentary terms, Malaysia has never had a shadow cabinet.[7] Then Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim appointed a Frontbench Committee in the 12th Parliament, and DAP appointed spokespersons among MPs in the 13th Parliament, but never a full shadow cabinet.
Details
Barisan Nasional (BN), as the largest opposition coalition in the Parliament, established a Shadow Cabinet on 26 September 2018. Each portfolio established in this Shadow Cabinet will also be comprising three professionals connected to their fields, including Women and Youth members, who will be elected at a later date.[8]
^Kudat MP, Abd Rahim Bakri (UMNO) left the party on 12 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Libaran MP, Zakaria Mohd. Edris (UMNO) left the party on 12 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Beluran MP, Dr. Ronald Kiandee (UMNO) left the party on 12 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Pensiangan MP, Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS), together with other six (6) Sabah UMNO MP had officially left Barisan Nasional on 12 December 2018; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Larut MP, Hamzah Zainudin left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Tanah Merah MP, Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (UMNO) left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Cameron Highlands MP, Sivarajjh Chandran (MIC) was nullified by Election Courts his victory of 2018 General Election in Cameron Highlands on 30 November 2018, which later his seat was declared as VACANT, for the offence of bribery, vote-buying and corrupt practices committed to induce voters; and therefore, disqualified automatically from the Shadow Cabinet.
^Beaufort MP, Azizah Mohd. Dun (UMNO) left the party on 12 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Sipitang MP, Yamani Hafez Musa (UMNO) left the party on 12 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Tasek Gelugor MP, Shabudin Yahaya (UMNO) left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Sabak Bernam MP, Mohamad Fasiah Mohd. Fakeh (UMNO) left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Mersing MP, Dr. Abd. Latiff Ahmad (UMNO) left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.
^Hulu Terengganu MP, Rosol Wahid (UMNO) left the party on 14 December 2018 and became an independent; and therefore, exited the Shadow Cabinet.