Mustapa confident new cabinet team will be better

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is confident the new Cabinet team will help spearhead Malaysia forward by 2020.

The Kelantan UMNO Liaison chairman said he was confident the Cabinet members, including several new faces, would carry out their responsibilities with full dedication.

"We have new leaders and some are experienced, it is all mixed. I am very confident we will all serve with full dedication and commitment to speed up Malaysia's development.

"I am confident the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) has chosen the best team from our existing leaders and we are all determined to continue providing excellent service to the nation," he added.

Mustapa was speaking to reporters after meeting the Ramadan Farmers' Market entrepreneurs and visitors at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium Ramadan Farmers' Market here, on Monday.

The Cabinet reshuffle yesterday is the third carried out by Najib, with the first on June 25, 2014 and the second on July 28 last year.

The latest reshuffle sees former agriculture and agro-based industry minister Tan Sri Noh Omar brought back to head the Urban Well-being, Housing And Local Government Ministry while Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani has been promoted as second finance minister.

Najib also announced the appointment of three new deputy ministers and one former deputy minister to the Cabinet.

In SABAH, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Cabinet reshuffle would strengthen the government under Najib to carry out its responsibilities more efficiently and effectively.

"The state government records its appreciation and thanks on the appointment of Silam MP Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur as deputy minister of plantation industries and commodities.

On the appointment of Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department responsible for national economic matters, Musa said it was a big recognition for Sabah leaders to lead an important sector of national development.

In PENANG, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the Cabinet reshuffle would give attention to the economy and well-being of the people.

In a statement today, the foreign deputy minister said the appointments would bring new energy.