While the transition of community engagement duties to Zaqy Mohamad is intended to provide stability, some observers are raising questions about the capacity of ministers to handle such significant additional responsibilities. Managing the diverse and evolving needs of the Muslim community requires dedicated time and deep, sustained focus. There is a concern that when these duties are added to an already heavy ministerial workload, the quality of engagement could potentially suffer.
Critics point out that the resignation of a dedicated figure like Dr. Faishal creates a void that is difficult to fill simply by reassigning tasks to existing ministers. The risk is that community engagement might become a secondary priority compared to the pressing demands of the Defence and Manpower ministries. If the community feels that their issues are not receiving the undivided attention they require, it could lead to a sense of disconnect between the government and the grassroots.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of this new arrangement will be tested by how well Mr. Zaqy can manage these competing demands. The challenge lies in ensuring that the engagement process remains authentic and responsive rather than becoming a purely administrative task. For the government, the pressure is on to prove that this consolidation of roles does not lead to a dilution of the support and representation that the community has come to expect.