‘Nothing tomorrow’, Anwar says amid cabinet reshuffle rumours

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow.

When asked what to expect at the cabinet reshuffle purported to take place tomorrow, Anwar reportedly told reporters there is “Nothing tomorrow”.

When pressed again on the same issue, he replied, “Not yet, not yet”.

He said this on the sidelines of the Khazanah Megatrends Forum in Kuala Lumpur today, based on a video recording of the exchange.

Anwar added that he would have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow morning but this was only to discuss the matters that would be raised in the cabinet meeting later that day.

“It has nothing to do with changing ministers,” he said.

After the cabinet meeting, Anwar said he would be travelling to Sabah, and then to the United Arab Emirates.

The official schedule released by his office for tomorrow shows that the prime minister will be attending a national convention on managing Islamic affairs that is taking place in Kota Kinabalu.

No discussion within cabinet

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle has not been brought up for discussion in the cabinet.

This is in line with Anwar’s policy to discuss such matters with the coalition government’s component parties, he said.

“The prime minister in previous interviews has said that the government’s component parties will be consulted, or at least informed (on important decisions).

“As of 5pm today, there are no signs of the prime minister calling me as the Umno president and BN chairperson, to talk on the matter,” Berita Harian quoted Zahid as telling reporters after attending a function in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zahid stressed that whether or not a reshuffle happens is the prime minister’s prerogative.

The deputy prime minister was asked about a report in the news portal The Vibes that Anwar could possibly announce a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow after the post-cabinet meeting.

The report, quoting a source, said the move will involve several portfolios and major ministries, including the Home Ministry, the Human Resources Ministry, the Health Ministry, and the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Meanwhile, New Straits Times quoted Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh refuting an earlier report by Free Malaysia Today that she will be moved out of her present role.

“What is there to comment when it is based on an unnamed source?

“It can be any ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ talking to the portal. Just ignore,” she told NST.

It is worth noting that Zahid had on Sunday hinted that a cabinet reshuffle may be on the cards.

Cabinet reshuffle may be on the cards - Zahid

No urgency to reshuffle cabinet, only one vacancy - PM

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

No discussion on cabinet reshuffle, says Fahmi

Major cabinet reshuffle on the horizon - source