PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will make the decision on the list of Cabinet ministers and deputies.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday (Dec 3), it said Anwar will decide after careful consideration.
The vacancies follow the resignation of three ministers and the end of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s senatorship as Investment, Trade and Industry Minister.
“The Prime Minister will also decide on the list of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Madani Government,” it said.
The PMO said the decision will be based on the interests of the people and the direction of national reform, but did not add when the decision will be made.
Anwar welcomed the reappointment of Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to the Senate.
It said they were appointed for a second term.
Their second senatorship term took effect on Wednesday.
“This appointment will enable them to continue their important tasks,” it said.
It said this supports policy continuity, governance and the reform agenda in line with Madani Malaysia.
Speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle began within Pakatan Harapan and Barisan after ministerial resignations in May.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned as the economy minister and the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister.
Datuk Ewon Benedick resigned as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister last month.
He said he would quit if Putrajaya appealed the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling on Sabah’s 40% share of net federal revenue.
The Investment, Trade and Industry post has been vacant since Tengku Zafrul’s Senate term ended on Tuesday (Dec 2).
On Tuesday, Anwar said a major reshuffle is not on the cards.
He said vacancies in ministerial posts will be filled, adding that Cabinet has about two years left to serve.
