Ministers and deputy ministers sworn in before Agong

Newly appointed Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani today led the line-up of ministers and deputy ministers who took their oath of office, loyalty and secrecy before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

The ceremony took place at the Bilik Singgahsana Kecil of Istana Negara at 11.30am.

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and other cabinet ministers.

After Johari was sworn in, it was the turn of new Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, followed by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany.

The others sworn in were new Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong, and Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur.

They took their oath of loyalty and secrecy before signing the official appointment documents, witnessed by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

In the cabinet reshuffle announced by the prime minister yesterday, Noh, formerly Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, was brought back to head a different ministry, and Johari was previously Deputy Finance Minister.

Najib also announced that Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah wished to relinquish his post as Second Finance Minister for personal reasons, besides reshuffling the portfolios of ministers in the Prime Minister's Department.

The cabinet reshuffle also saw Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong taking over as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, and Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan now as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit.

Najib also announced the appointment of three new deputy ministers and re-appointment of a former deputy minister to strengthen the federal government administration.

He said the cabinet reshuffle this time was to fill the vacant federal minister and deputy minister posts.