The new cabinet should receive the full backing of all concerned because its members were selected after stringent evaluation by the top leadership, said head of the National Council of

Professors’ Political, Security and International Affairs Cluster, Prof Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak.

He said the new line-up appeared more stable, strong and united. The mix of new and experienced faces, he said, provided the right balance needed to enable the cabinet to carry out its responsibilities and implement government policies more effectively.

“The newcomers will need some time to familiarise themselves with their duties... we should give them our support to enable them to carry out the nation’s agenda successfully.

“However, the new cabinet should also do its part by performing well... they only have a few years to prove themselves and their capabilities before the next general election shows up,” he told Bernama.

Mohamed Mustafa said since the new cabinet consisted of people with outstanding achievements, he was confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, it would continue to press ahead with its transformation agenda.

He also welcomed the appointment of Mahadzir Khalid as Education Minister, saying that the portfolio was appropriate for Mahadzir as he was an ex-teacher, as well as former Kedah menteri besar.

“Idris Jusoh, who is now Higher Education Minister, can now focus his attention on tertiary education issues. Previously, as the second Education Minister, he had to concentrate on both sectors,” he said.

He added that the appointment of former Sabah legislative assembly speaker Salleh Said Keruak as Communications and Multimedia Minister showed that Najib took heed of the cabinet’s state and party composition.

“Considering that Sabah’s representative Mohd Shafie Apdal (former rural and regional development minister) was dropped from the cabinet, Najib made sure Sabah’s quota was maintained by appointing Salleh,” he said.

Mohamed Mustafa said he was certain that Najib had considered his move to reshuffle the cabinet carefully and had valid reasons for it.

He believed that Najib was forced to make the changes as he wanted the undivided support of his entire cabinet so that they could work as a united team.

‘Administrative and political reasons’

“I think he did it for administrative and political reasons... I’m sure Najib wants to enhance the efficiency of his administration and, at the same time, work with cabinet members who will give him their full support and remain with him through thick and thin.

“The performance factor could have been the reason why some ministers were dropped. Others were dropped because they were not politically aligned. Najib may have felt that there were some significant requirements (that had to be met),” he said.

The new cabinet line-up announced yesterday saw seven new ministers and eight new deputy ministers being appointed while Muhyiddin Yassin (former deputy prime minister) and four other ministers were dropped.

The new cabinet involves 25 ministries and a total of 37 ministers, compared with 24 ministries and 32 ministers previously.

- Bernama