KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed to be unaware of a potential cabinet reshuffle, amid rumours claiming the possible move could take place by year-end.
Speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysian Commercialisation Year Summit 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, Anwar briefly said he was “just informed” of allegations on the matter.
“How can I not have heard of it yet (before this)? Who is going to help in the (cabinet) reshuffling)?” he questioned in jest.
“I haven’t heard anything. Seriously, I have not heard.”
When asked for comments on assertions that a menteri besar will be helming a ministerial post under the cabinet reshuffle, Anwar merely said, “Potentially after the next election, God willing.”
Earlier today, it was reported that a PKR minister whose performance has been “in question” would either be dropped from the cabinet or moved to another ministry, while several deputy ministers could potentially be promoted to ministerial roles.
It was also said that the cabinet reshuffle could take place by the end of this month, with a corporate source reportedly claiming that a minister’s team had cited the upcoming reshuffle in cancelling a minister’s attendance at a company event this month.
Rumours of a cabinet reshuffle have been whispered about for the past month or so, following the last reshuffle in December last year, which saw Anwar’s cabinet expanding to 31 ministers from the previous 28.
During the last reshuffle, DAP’s V. Sivakumar was removed as human resources minister and replaced with fellow DAP lawmaker Steven Sim Chee Keong. – August 12, 2024