Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today announced a widely expected cabinet reshuffle to adjust to a recent leadership change in the country's biggest Chinese-based party.

The mini reshuffle involved five leaders of the MCA, following the resignation of Dr Ling Liong Sik last month as transport minister and as MCA chief after 17 years at the helm.

In a surprise move, Mahathir promoted second deputy finance minister Chan Kong Choy, the new MCA deputy president, to the post of transport minister.

Analysts and political observers said this was unexpected as the transport portfolio was traditionally held by the president of the MCA, the second largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

Recognition of women

New MCA chief Ong Ka Ting, 47, remained housing and local government minister.

"It is my assessment of his (Chan's) ability. He also has a lot of experience," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Chan, 48, was elected MCA deputy president to replace Lim Ah Lek who stepped down with Ling to end a power tussle and consolidate the party ahead of general elections that must be called by late 2004.

The premier named deputy culture, arts and tourism minister Ng Yen Yen, who heads the MCA women's wing, as second deputy finance minister, saying this was in recognition of women's capabilities and proved the government was not gender-biased.

The MCA's Fu Ah Kiow, parliamentary secretary at the trade ministry, was made the deputy culture, arts and tourism minister.

New faces

Fu was replaced by newcomer Ho Cheong Sing, an MCA member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat.

Deputy housing and local government minister M Kayveas was moved to the prime minister's department as deputy minister while his predecessor, Douglas Uggah Embas, was made deputy transport minister.

Transport ministry parliamentary secretary Donald Lim, from the MCA, was promoted to deputy information minister.

Another new face is Mastika Junaidah Husin, a lawmaker from Umno, who was made the new parliamentary secretary for the women and family development ministry. - AFP

The 77-year-old veteran premier, who retains the post of finance minister, is himself due to retire in October after 22 years in office and will hand over the reins to his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. - AFP