New cabinet must work as one solid team — Najib

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Najib in a cheerful mood after chairing the cabinet meeting. On his right his Ahmad Zahid. — Bernama photo

Najib in a cheerful mood after chairing the cabinet meeting. On his right his Ahmad Zahid. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday the new Cabinet must act as one solid team to ensure that the government has the strength and unity to focus on its development plans for Malaysia and to face the current challenges.

He said he believed that the new Cabinet would drive forward the government’s ability to deliver on the promises made to the people in the last general election, in 2013.

“Following the democratic mandate given to the Barisan Nasional in the 2013 general election, it is my duty to ensure that the government delivers on Malaysia’s transformation programme.

“Nothing is more important than the needs of Malaysia and the people – I will always put their interests above all others,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday.

Najib expressed confidence that, in time, the new Cabinet would increase public confidence in the government and the Barisan Nasional ahead of the 14th general election, due in 2018.

Najib said members of the Cabinet should not air their differences in an open forum that could affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia.

“It is contrary to the concept of collective responsibility that is the foundation of Cabinet Government.

“I welcome vigorous debate, and accept and tolerate criticism or even dissent.

“However, this process should take place in Cabinet as part of the decision-making process,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the Barisan Nasional was founded on the principle of unity that is the hallmark of this nation and the recipe for future success.

The Cabinet reshuffle yesterday saw the appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the new Deputy Prime Minister to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, besides dropping of four other ministers and the appointment of seven new ministers.

Najib thanked Muhyiddin and those ministers who were no longer in the Cabinet for all their work and dedication to the government and country. — Bernama