KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim appear to be in the running for ministerial positions, as Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin looks to reshuffle his cabinet following recent resignations.
Two sources familiar with the matter said the MPs’ appointments are expected to be announced in due time, barring any last-minute changes.
Speaking to The Vibes, a prominently placed insider said Mahdzir, who is Umno vice-president, will most likely be given the vacant energy and natural resources portfolio, following the resignation of fellow party member Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah on August 3.
It is believed the consideration given by Muhyiddin to name Mahdzir was made due to his seniority, both in terms of party position and political involvement.
His previous two-year stint from 2013 overseeing the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (as it was then known) as a deputy minister had also persuaded Muhyiddin to choose the Padang Terap MP.
“For the position of energy and natural resources minister, Mahdzir will most likely be appointed,” the source told The Vibes today, on strict condition of anonymity.
Other than being Umno vice-president, Mahdzir is the non-executive chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and has held several other key positions at the federal and state levels.
Among others, he was Kedah Menteri Besar from 2005 to 2008, and held the key position of education minister from July 2015 to May 2018.
Another source, who also requested anonymity, similarly said Mahdzir will most likely helm the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry despite the latter having denied the suggestion previously.
He added that the second Umno lawmaker who will most probably be appointed to the cabinet is Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
Provided there are no eleventh hour changes, he said Shahidan will be named a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The former Umno Perlis liaison chief held the same portfolio between May 2013 and May 2018 and oversaw parliamentary affairs, a role currently held by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
It is uncertain whether Shahidan will be assuming the same role as he did pre-2018 general election, forcing Takiyuddin to be reshuffled to another ministry, or if the former will be overseeing a separate portfolio.
Takiyuddin has been on the receiving end of endless criticism after he announced in Parliament last month that the government had revoked all emergency ordinances without royal assent.
The source added that Shahidan will also likely be put in charge of the National Security Council, which he also oversaw during Barisan Nasional’s federal rule, although this is unconfirmed at the moment.
Both sources are however unsure who will be appointed to helm the Education Ministry, which has been vacant since Umno’s Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad resigned from the post on August 6.
One said Shahidan’s has done well in continuously supporting the government amid pressure from Umno to withdraw.
I’m not sure. But I’m very confident about Mahdzir and Shahidan being appointed to the cabinet. Shahidan has done a wonderful job for us.”
Earlier today, The Malaysian Insight had reported that Muhyiddin has identified two Umno MPs to be appointed as ministers as part of a minor reshuffle of his cabinet.
The report quoted sources as saying two other existing ministers will be given new portfolios, in what will be Muhyiddin’s first shake-up of his cabinet.
It said the MPs’ names have been identified but the sources did not disclose the information, pending consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
If true, the appointments will come less than a month from a vote of confidence to determine Muhyiddin’s legitimacy as prime minister as he seeks to shore up his support in Parliament. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021
