The opposition has questioned why Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein's appointment as special functions minister has yet to be gazetted.

Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik said the gazetting is required as per the Ministerial Functions Act 1969.

A check with the Federal Gazette website showed no gazette order relating to Hishammuddin's new job.

"(Another) big problem is that, even though Hishammuddin has been appointed special functions minister, there has been no explanation on his duties," Ng said at a press conference in the Parliament media room today.

Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, was given the special functions portfolio by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on April 12.

Hishammuddin had said that his duties were to assist Najib, with a special focus on the Middle East.

However, Ng wants a more detailed explanation of the minister's special functions duties.

"What problems are Najib facing that Hishammuddin's duties and responsibilities as special functions minister can't be explained openly?

"Is Hishammuddin now a secret agent for Najib?" the DAP representative asked.

Ng said that if the appointment was purely political, then the prime minister should not waste public funds.

Malaysiakini has contacted Hishammuddin's aide for a response to Ng's queries.

Pundits have said that Hishammuddin was given the second cabinet portfolio to boost his standing with Umno members.

In the last party elections, Hishammuddin was the least popular of the three vice-presidents elected, and almost lost the race to Mukhriz Mahathir.