A cabinet without Deputy PM makes history

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin instead only announced the appointment of four senior ministers on Monday comprising International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.

The four ministers will be responsible for assisting the Prime Minister in the economic, security, infrastructure development, education and social sectors, apart from helping undertake other responsibilities of the Prime Minister including chairing Cabinet meetings on occasions when Muhyiddin is out of the country.

Commenting on the latest developments, constitutional expert Assoc Prof Dr Shamrahayu Abd Aziz told Bernama she believes the role and tasks of the deputy prime minister will be fulfilled and undertaken by all four senior ministers, to facilitate the smooth running of the country.

She stressed that the historic first-time absence of a Deputy Prime Minister for the country was not an issue as such an appointment was not stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

Of the same opinion is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan who believes Muhyiddin had given due consideration to all factors, in deciding not to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister.

Azmi added that a Deputy Prime Minister would normally be given another portfolio to manage, as was the practice in the past.

"The absence of a Deputy Prime Minister is not surprising or shocking. The appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister is up to the discretion of the Prime Minister," he said, explaining that the absence signified the Prime Minister's confidence that the four senior ministers would undertake the tasks of a deputy premier.