Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced three ministers in the new cabinet lineup.

The three are DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng for finance, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu for defence, and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin for home affairs.

“We have not named the seven other ministers.

“We request the four parties from the coalition to submit three names from each party for the consideration of the prime minister,” Mahathir said in a press conference at the Bersatu headquarters today.

The press conference, which started around 3.30pm, comes after a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting that started earlier this morning.

It is learnt that PKR has yet to decide on the party's appointees for the cabinet.

While the candidates for the ministerial positions will be submitted to him, Mahathir said he will consult the parties further if necessary before making his final decision.

He also stated that the Pakatan Harapan government intends to have a small cabinet of just 25 members, but conceded it may later be necessary to have more ministers from Sabah and Sarawak. 

As many from Harapan lack experience in running a government, Mahathir announced that a 'council of elders' would also be set up to provide assistance.

This council will consist of eminent persons, including former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas president Mohd Hassan Merican, tycoon Robert Kuok, and economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram.