Johari Abdul Ghani promoted; 3 new deputy ministers appointed; Devamany reappointed deputy minister
Najib announcing the cabinet reshuffle at the Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya. — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: 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 Tun Razak yesterday.
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 as Deputy Finance Minister, Silam MP Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansur as Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister, and Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong as Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri SK Devamany is back as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Najib said the cabinet reshuffle also involved 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).
The exchange of portfolios also involves Datuk Chua Tee Yong taking over as International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister from Datuk Lee Chee Leong who held Chua’s deputy minister post in the Finance Ministry.
Mah is Gerakan president, while Abdul Rahman who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Strategic Communications director, was before this cabinet reshuffle, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister.
Najib said that 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, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to these appointments.
He said the cabinet reshuffle this time was to fill the vacancies for federal minister and deputy minister posts.
This included as a result of the resignation of Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas who contested and won in the 11th Sarawak state election and was then appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.
Tan Sri Wahid Omar also decided not to continue serving as a senator and as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, to return to the corporate sector.
The post of plantation industries and commodities deputy minister also fell vacant following the death of Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.
Yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle was the third so far made by Najib.
He 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 Gerakan president 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 Dr 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: “It depends when the next election will be.”
When pressed when he would call for the general election, Najib said : “I don’t know yet.”
Asked if he was aware of Husni’s plan to retire, Najib said 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,” he added.
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.” — Bernama