Cabinet reshuffle: I’ll think about it, says PM

Following speculations that there will be a major reshuffling of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet, he revealed today that he will “ponder” over that thought.

“I’ll think about it, I’ll think about it,” he told reporters briefly after attending the Huawei Malaysia ICT Summit closing ceremony at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was responding to questions from the media about the rumoured change in the cabinet lineup that might happen soon.

Malaysiakini previously reported that Anwar was preparing a major cabinet shake-up, amid speculation that such a reshuffle is imminent.

Today, sources in the Prime Minister’s Department said that the potential cabinet reshuffle will see leaders from the state level elevated to federal positions.

The source claimed that the reshuffle will only be conducted after the conclusion of the Pelangai by-election on Oct 7 and “at least one menteri besar is expected to be promoted to the federal government”.

Transfers and new appointment

Prior to that, a news portal published a speculative piece about a cabinet reshuffle to replace underperforming ministers.

The report also claimed that the reshuffle would involve secretaries-general and directors-general in several ministries.

Yesterday, four secretaries-general were transferred to helm new positions and a new one was appointed.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement, said the secretaries-general involved in the job rotation are Zaini Ujang from the Human Resources Ministry to the Health Ministry, and Isham Ishak from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry to the Defence Ministry.

Meanwhile, Azman Mohd Yusof from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has been transferred to the Unity Ministry, and Noridah Abdul Rahim from the Unity Ministry is now the director-general of the Federal Territories Department.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary-general Hariril Yahri Yaacob has been appointed as the ministry’s new secretary-general to replace Isham.

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