There has been a major cabinet reshuffle and the MCA president has quit his party to join Umno!

Malaysiakini stumbled upon this startling discovery - or blunder, which would be a more apt word - when browsing through the Parliament's official website today.

According to the site's listing on members of parliament, many of the cabinet positions and party affiliations have been mixed up.

For example, Merbok MP Zainuddin Maidin, who was appointed deputy information minister following the March 21 general election, is now - according to the website - performing the duties of deputy defence minister.

Another parliamentarian who appeared to have taken a new post is Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

The website reveals that Rais is helming the Internal Security Ministry, which in reality is being headed by the prime minister himself.

Deputy Defence Minister Zainal Abidin Zin's portfolio also leaves one puzzled as it states his position as the parliamentary secretary for the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Also included in the portfolio is a photo of the real Foreign Affairs parliamentary secretary Zainal Abidin Osman, whom the site lists down as deputy defence minister.

The parliamentary constituencies of both the parliamentarians have also been switched.

An even more interesting finding was the status of MCA president Ong Ka Ting.

His positions as housing and local government minister and MP of Tanjung Pia were listed correctly on the website, but the MCA leader is now representing Umno!

Another debacle was the portfolio of Gerakan's Jelutong parliamentarian and Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon - the site states his 'position in cabinet' as 'nil'.

However, the site has accurately listed Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister.

Problem-plagued

A political researcher described the inaccurate information on the official website as disheartening.

"It is the official site and if they can't get it right, where else can we go?" she asked.

The researcher, who declined to be named, said inaccuracy is not the only problem.

"Often, you can't find anything in their archives and the site is always plagued with technical problems," she added.

She urged those responsible for overseeing the site to rectify the problems as many researchers and journalists both local and foreign rely on it for political and legislative information.

A Parliament spokesperson, when contacted, said the site is still in the process of being updated and the mistakes will be rectified.