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Cabinet revamp may happen, says NST
Published:  Jun 12, 2015 12:15 PM
Updated: 5:42 AM

Quoting unnamed sources, the Umno-linked New Straits Times reported that a cabinet reshuffle could take place after the Hari Raya celebration next month.

This comes hot on the heels of speculation that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak might axe his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been critical of the 1MDB imbroglio.

Another vocal critic of the firm within the cabinet is Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal ( photo ), who oversees the rural and regional development portfolio.

"Sources said the reshuffle might see several ministers swapping places and one or two others replaced by new faces.

"The changes are aimed at strengthening the government machinery in delivering the promises made in the GE13 BN manifesto," read the NST report.

The sources also noted that while Culture and Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz as well as Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had dismissed talk of a reshuffle, "it is normal for Najib to keep matters close to his chest."

The report said, according to sources, Najib needed to "shake up" his cabinet to deal with some "less effective ministers".

The sources also claimed that the revamp would not be on the agenda of the BN leaders meeting tonight.

On Tuesday, Umno blogger Shabudin Husin speculated on Muhyiddin's fate as Najib, Hishammuddin and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited Saudi Arabia.

He had termed this as a prequel to the cabinet reshuffle, but Hishammuddin later dismissed it as nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

Despite coming under intense pressure from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit, Najib has refused to step down.

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