[UPDATED] ‘Cabinet reshuffle likely tomorrow, Zahid, Zaliha included in line-up’

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow, nearly eleven months after the formation of this government in November last year.

Sources close to Putrajaya told Getaran, The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal, that the important announcement is expected to be made after the post-cabinet meeting.

According to information obtained by the sources, the matter needs to be announced before Anwar leaves for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this Thursday.

“Previously, some said it would just be some small ‘changes’ but from the information I got, it is going to be a major overhaul,” said a source.

According to the sources, 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.

“At tomorrow’s announcement, the PM is also expected to name a successor to the domestic trade and costs of living minister, the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub,” the source said.

Until today, Salahuddin’s successor is still a mystery even though it has been more than two months since he passed away.

Sources also drew attention to two full ministerial portfolios which may be given to MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan.

“Ka Siong has just retained the (MCA) presidency while Anwar’s recent presence at the MIC headquarters may well indicate the ‘return’ of MIC in the cabinet,” the source added.

Speculations about the cabinet reshuffle have been rife over the past couple of weeks.

It is increasingly being talked about after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted about it two days ago.

According to Zahid, one of the factors that is influencing the reshuffle is the portfolio vacancy resulting from the late Salahuddin’s passing.

Getaran was told that Zahid’s name as well as that of Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa are among those mentioned as being listed in the reshuffle.

This will be the first cabinet reshuffle announced by the unity government since assuming the reins of federal power on November 24 last year. – The Vibes, October 3, 2023