PUTRAJAYA – The recent cabinet reshuffle announced by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is his prerogative as prime minister and has nothing to do with politics, according to Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
The newly appointed higher education minister said the prime minister has the absolute right to form a team that he deems best to perform their duties for the people.
“Undoubtedly, he (Anwar) has made the best assessment on how to continue (the work), based on the response he received from the people, and on how he should restructure his cabinet.
“It (the reshuffle) has nothing to do with politics as speculated upon by certain parties,” he said after scanning his thumbprint to begin his official duties at the Higher Education Ministry here today.
Zambry, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, said this in response to the allegation that the cabinet reshuffle was done with the aim of “protecting” Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Last Tuesday, Anwar announced the first major reshuffle of his unity government cabinet in a bid to strengthen the administration in line with current demands and needs.
The reshuffle also involved the exchange of portfolios among Umno ministers, including Zambry, who was formerly the foreign minister but will now helm the Higher Education Ministry.
The foreign minister is now Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, while party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin takes charge at the Defence Ministry.
Elaborating, Zambry said that restructuring the cabinet is a common practice to further strengthen the government’s administration.
“Our focus is on what needs to be implemented, what the prime minister has set, because the goal in the Madani government is to give the best for the people,” he said. – December 14, 2023