After the 2004 election, he was appointed Minister of Domestic, Trade and Consumer Affairs in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet and was later given the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage.
Following the 2004 election, he was assigned to the position of Minister of Domestic Affairs, Trade, and Consumer Protection within Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government. He was subsequently appointed to the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts, and Heritage.