Cabinet to be reshuffled soon - PM Najib

The Cabinet will be reshuffled shortly following the resignation of Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister and the death of his deputy Datuk Noriah Kasnon, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"The Cabinet reshuffle to meet current needs and to fill the vacant posts will be announced soon, as a result of the death of Datuk Noriah Kasnon and taking into consideration the new appointment of Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah in Sarawak (as Deputy Chief Minister)," he said in his latest entry on his blog NajibRazak.com today.

"Also in connection with this, I accept the resignation of Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister," Najib added.

Najib said Uggah had served with dedication and contributed much to the commodities sector, among others the setting up of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries which had helped ensure stability in the price of the commodity and developed the downstream industry.

He said Uggah would bring the same dedication in his new post as Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister.

Najib said: "We are still sad over the tragedy befalling out comrades while on duty in Sarawak".

In the tragedy on May 5, a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter crashed near Sebuyau killing Noriah and her husband Asmuni Abdullah, her personal bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun, Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai and Filipino pilot, Captain Rudolf Rex Ragas.

Meantime, Najib expressed his thanks to the people of Sarawak for continuing to give the mandate to the Barisan Nasional in the 11th state election (PRN-11).

"As we all know, thank God, the people of Bumi Kenyalang made their choice and gave the mandate to BN in the 11th state election recently," he said.

He said as a continuation to that, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had announced the new state Cabinet line-up yesterday.

"Based on the appointments and commitment, I see the composition in terms of communities and parties is fair and just, representing the interests of all quarters," he said.

The Prime Minister also congratulated Uggah, Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on their appointments as Deputy Chief Ministers.

Najib said he believed that those appointed would work together with Adenan sincerely in making Sarawak more progressive and successful.

"To the members of the Sarawak Cabinet, Godspeed in carrying out your duties and fulfilling BN's promises," he said.

In PRN-11, Sarawak BN won 72 of the 82 seats up for grabs.