I refer the Malaysiakini report Najib names his new cabinet .

The list of new cabinet ministers is already announced. It shows that the portfolios of many ministers have been broadened and enhanced. Surprisingly, Umno had the highest number of new faces and also in changes of portfolios in the new line-up.

Prominent leaders like Syed Hamid Albar, Azalina Othman, Mohd. Zin Mohamad and Muhammad Muhammad Taib were dropped.

Azalina’s and Muhammad Muhd Taib’s exit was not a surprise as the indications were all there ever since the Umno general assembly). It should be noted that Shahrir Samad already tendered his resignation a few days back thus he was excluded from the cabinet list.

Sabah had a significant boost, as four of its MPs were elected to the cabinet by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak including for the foreign minister portfolio. Yes, it is something to cheer about.

However, the four ministers from Sabah should do work hard for their home state so as to enhance the development of Sabah. This clearly proves that Najib values and respects the support of Sabah at the federal level and wants Sabah to be given a wider platform.

If Sabahans still complain that they are not being taken care of by the federal government, they have their own leaders to be blamed ultimately.

Dr Koh Tsu Koon, former Penang chief minister is now a minister in Prime Minister’s Department. This is a good move for the Gerakan leader to contribute at the federal level.

There were minor changes for MCA and Gerakan and no change at all for MIC and PPP. This is due to a gentleman’s agreement between those parties and the incumbent prime minister.

The new portfolios of Muhyiddin Yassin (who is also deputy prime minister) as minister of education and Hishamuddin Hussein as minister of internal affairs are most welcome.

The suspense as to who gets seat from Umno Youth is over. Khairy Jamaluddin is out and Mukhriz Mahathir is in (many had expected a full minister’s post for him) as a deputy minister.

A fair and timely request by the non-bumiputera for a second deputy prime minister’s post was just silenced. Even if not now, let us hope that a second DPM’s post for ‘non-bumiputera affairs’ will be created soon. It is long overdue.

On the whole, we can feel that this is the cabinet which had the most number of changes in portfolios so far. We notice that, as was rumoured, the number of ministers were reduced.

However, the portfolios of the new ministers are highly enhanced to accommodate contemporary needs. Preparing a cabinet list that is acceptable to all parties involved is not very possible.

We could see Najib did his level best and notice that he has used all available political knowhow, avenues, opportunities, excuses and, of course, valuable advice in coming up with the new cabinet list.