Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to unveil his Cabinet following a reshuffle tomorrow which some have predicted as less of a shake-up than a “fill-in-the-blanks” exercise.

At least seven appointments are said to be on the cards, most of which are a result of vacancies arising from events, both political and tragic, in the past three months.

Those affected by the reshuffle have been notified to get ready to be sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following the announcement by the Prime Minister.

A Putrajaya source said the reshuffle might involve up to four ministers and three deputy ministers.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, said the source, might be moved to a new portfolio in what is seen as an “upgrade”.

Idris, a trusted ally of the Prime Minister, may take over the EPU portfolio previously held by Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

Idris’ current portfolio may be assumed by a Johor politician.

There is no shortage of Johor ta­­lent and a widely speculated name for the job is Muar MP Datuk Razali Ibrahim who is currently deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and who oversees students in private colleges.

Two other possibilities are Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi and Datuk Hanim Samuri, both of whom are deputy ministers.

A senior PBB leader from Sara­wak, Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi, is in the running to become the next Plantation Indus­tries and Commodities Minister, taking over from Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas who is now Sarawak deputy chief minister.

Another ministership has been vacant since Datuk Seri Idris Jala’s senatorship expired last August.

The reshuffle may involve as many as four deputy ministers’ posts, one of which was vacated by the untimely death of Sungai Besar MP Datuk Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in Sarawak.

Another became vacant following Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Hanipah’s elevation to become Kedah mentri besar.

The deputy minister vacancies will open up opportunities for younger MPs to gain experience in the Government.

According to the source, at least one of the deputy ministers’ posts will go to Sarawak, given its solid delivery in the state election.

Interestingly, the newly-elected Sungai Besar MP Budiman Mohd Zohdi’s name has also been tossed into the ring to fill up the Selangor quota.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican said there had been a lot of excitement over the impending changes although it was more of an “adjustment” rather than a reshuffle.

“But it is still important because the right alignment will enable the coalition to move forward until the general election,” said Reezal who is also Kepala Batas MP.

The last Cabinet reshuffle in August last year saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal being axed.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by Joceline Tan

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