Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has been appointed acting federal territories minister effective today following the resignation of Mohd Isa Samad.

When contacted, her special officer Radzi Abdullah confirmed the appointment. Shahrizat is currently the women and family development minister.

It is not clear how long Shahrizat will stand in as the federal territories minister.

However, she is expected to fill the post until Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi makes the final decision in a minor cabinet reshuffle in the coming weeks.

According to Bernama , Abdullah told reporters that he had yet to have the inspiration reshuffle his cabinet.

"As long as I don't fill the post (vacant post), she (Shahrizat) has to act,

no timeframe," he said.

A number of ministers are expected to lose their current posts in the long-expected cabinet reshuffle - the first since March 2004 elections.

Among them are those who lost in last year's Umno supreme council elections - Information Minister Kadir Shiekh Fadzil, Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid and Higher Education Minister Shafie Salleh.

Rafidah to be demoted?

According to some reports, controversial International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz might be demoted and appointed instead as a minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

There are also speculations that Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Muhyiddin Yassin would be tapped to replace Rafidah.

Minister in the PM's Department in charge of legal affairs Radzi Sheikh Ahmad could take over the information ministry.

Meanwhile, Higher Education Deputy Minister Fu Ah Kiow and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Tan Chai Ho might be replaced given that they lost in the MCA vice-president race in MCA two months ago.

In Gerakan, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Deputy Minister Kerk Choo Ting, who lost in the party's presidential polls in August, is expected to be dropped.

His ministerial post could be filled by Plantation Enterprises and Commodities parliamentary secretary Ng Lip Yong.

Why Shahrizat?

Abdullah explained that he choose Shahrizat as the acting federal territories minister because she is a member of parliamanet from Kuala Lumpur and understands the problems in the area.

The prime minister added that Shahrizat would be shocked to hear the news because she had not been informed of the appointment.

"I'm confident Shahrizat can carry out the duties and responsibilities of the

Federal Territories Ministry well," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdullah praised Isa for his long contributions to the government.

"I want to thank him for his services and contributions to the people and country while serving in several positions in government, especially during his last post as federal territories minister and in several committees he was a member," he said.

Isa's resignation took effect today after the Umno supreme council early this month rejected his appeal against his suspension for involvement in vote-buying at the party's vice-presidential race last year.

The 56-year-old former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar will however remain as member of parliament of Jempol to ensure that the government would not have to hold a by-election.