PM: No one wants to resign, so no room for Anwar in cabinet now

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad indicated today that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim will not be part of his cabinet when he makes minor changes to members' portfolios soon.

"We are not having any change or any increase in the number of cabinet (members).

"Since nobody has indicated they want to resign, we have no vacancy," he told a press conference after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting this evening.

Mahathir was asked why Anwar, his designated successor, would not be brought into the fold given the mounting pressure to set a date for the transition of power.

Last week, the cabinet was informed that there may be changes in members' portfolios. 

Mahathir declined to say which portfolios would be swapped, but noted that ministers' performance after a year in government would be taken into consideration.

This was the first time the prime minister indicated any possibility of change after prolonged speculation about a reshuffle.

Anwar had previously said he would not take up the post of finance minister –which he held during Mahathir's first tenure as premier – even if it was offered to him.

Mahathir also stressed that the portfolio changes were not discussed in his party's supreme council meeting today.

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