PM announces new Cabinet lineup, retains almost all from Perikatan Nasional

Source: YouTube

27 Aug 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yakoob has announced his new Cabinet lineup today, retaining almost all from the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

The prime minister the appointment of four senior ministers, namely Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as Works Minister, and Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin as Education Minister.

The announcement was made by Ismail in a special press conference at 11am today.

He said he will ensure that the new Cabinet lineups emphasise a high-performance work culture where every ministry needs to make short-term and long-term plans.

Every ministry needs to proof initial achievements within the first 100 days, he added.

Among the ministers who are retaining their previous portfolios are Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as Finance Minister, Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs), Datuk Wee Ka Siong as Transportation Minister, Datuk Saravanan Murugan as Human Resources Minister, and Datuk Rina Harun as Minister of Women, Family and Community, Datuk Noraini Ahmad as Higher Education Minister, and Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin as Home Minister.

Datuk Dr Adham Baba who was previously Health Minister swapped portfolios with former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin.

Meanwhile, those who are appointed as Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department are Datuk Mustapa Mohamed (Economy), Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Special Tasks), and Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Parliament and Law).

The Ministry of Environment will be led by Datuk Ibrahim Man while Datuk Shahidan Kassim was appointed Minister of Federal Territories.

The others are Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (Minister of Energy and Natural Resources); Datuk Mahdzir Khalid (Minister Rural Development) and Datuk Dr Ronald Kiandee (Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry).

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs while Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.

Others who were appointed to the cabinet are Datuk Annuar Musa (Communication and Multimedia Minister), Datuk Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Minister of Housing and Local Government), Tan Sri Noh Omar (Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives), Datuk Zuraidah Kamaruddin (Minister of Enterprises, Plantations and Commodities), Datuk Nancy Shukri (Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture), Datuk Halimah Sadique (Minister of National Unity), and Datuk Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Minister of Youth and Sports).

Ismail said the new Cabinet is a management team that will work with the people and needs to act swiftly and integrated in efforts to help free Malaysia from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as economic and political turmoils.

The formation of the Cabinet is a re-formulation based on the current situation in order to maintain stability and place the interests of the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’, he added.

“In line with the direction of National Recovery Plan, economic activities will be opened in phases to enable the people to start working and earn a living safely.

“The new Cabinet line-up is selected from those who are experienced, believed to be able to help recover the economy and investor confidence.

“I will ensure that this line-up is committed to achieving the national agenda through cross-party cooperation to drive economic recovery,” he stated.