Najib announces new Cabinet lineup

A former minister is back in the Cabinet and a deputy minister made a full minister in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.

Najib also disclosed that Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had stated his wish to end his tenure for personal reasons, while the portfolios of ministers under the Prime Minister's Department would be restructured.

Former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar will now helm the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, while Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani moves up as Second Finance Minister.

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

"This is to ensure smooth continuation of the government's development agenda for the people – economic development, welfare and security – as promised," he said.

The three new deputy ministers are Jerlun MP Datuk Othman Aziz (Deputy Finance Minister), Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister), and Silam MP Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansur as Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, replacing Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon who died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany is back as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Najib said the Cabinet reshuffle also saw the appointment of Datuk Seri Mah Siew Kiong, previously Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, and Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan taking over as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) from Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar.

Mah is Gerakan president, while Abdul Rahman, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Strategic Communications director, was before this the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister.

The Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister post became vacant after Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas, who contested and won in the 11th Sarawak state election and was then appointed as Deputy Chief Minister, resigned from the post.

As for Abdul Wahid, he had decided to return to the corporate sector and would also not continue to serve as a senator.

The exchange of portfolios also saw Datuk Chua Tee Yong taking over as Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister from Datuk Lee Chee Leong, who now holds Chua's Deputy Finance Minister post.

Najib said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to these appointments in line with paragraph (b) Clause (2) Article 43 of the Federal Constitution on the appointment of federal ministers and Clause (1) Article 43A on the appointment of federal deputy ministers.

He said the Cabinet reshuffle this time, the third one that he has done so far, was to fill the vacancies for federal minister and deputy minister posts.

Najib made his first Cabinet reshuffle on June 25, 2014 involving the participation again of BN component party leaders from Gerakan and MCA.

This included the appointment of MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as Transport Minister, its deputy president Datuk Wee Ka Siong as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Mah as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

When making his second Cabinet reshuffle on July 28, 2015, Najib said it was to strengthen the line-up in facing the challenges in managing the country before the 14th general election.

The reshuffle saw the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Prime Minister, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who was dropped from the Cabinet.

When asked if this new line-up was a preparation for BN in facing the next general election, Najib said: "It depends when the next election will be."

When pressed when he would call for the general election, the premier said: "I don't know yet."

Asked if he was aware of Ahmad Husni's plan to retire, Najib said Ahmad Husni had informed him of his desire to retire and it should be respected.

"He's quite ready to retire. I wish to express my deep appreciation and thank him for his services rendered all this while," Najib said.

As to why there were no women candidates to fill the posts in the current Cabinet reshuffling exercise, Najib said: "We can always include (them) at some point of time. Not to worry about it."