Friday 22 Nov 2024
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PUTRAJAYA (Dec 12): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that changes in his Cabinet will be announced on Tuesday at 11am.

The prime minister also confirmed that he will be delegating some of his roles, although it was not immediately clear whether that would mean that he will relinquish his post as the finance minister, or a new finance minister II will be appointed.  

“Yes there will be changes [and additions to the Cabinet line-up], but it will still be smaller than previous administrations,” he said when asked by reporters after the Ministry of Finance monthly assembly here.

"I will delegate some of my roles and responsibilities [to others]," he added.  

The Edge on Monday reported that Anwar is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, which will likely include the appointment of a finance minister II, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the current chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), is tipped to be the man for the post.

Anwar has been called to delegate his wide responsibilities, following criticisms against him since he first announced that he will concurrently hold both the prime minister and finance minister portfolios. 

Several other senior Members of Parliament have also been said to be included in the Cabinet reshuffle, including Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Gobind Singh Deo, and Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. 

One or two ministries may also see their responsibilities swapped with others, The Edge's sources further said.

The reshuffle is taking place a year after Anwar took office, heading the country's first ever unity government comprising the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

There are currently 27 ministers in Anwar's Cabinet — one down from the original 28 — after the passing of former domestic trade and cost of living minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July this year, following a surgery for brain haemorrhage. 

Edited BySurin Murugiah
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