Ismail Sabri announces 'results-oriented' Cabinet line-up

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced the list of his 'results-oriented' Cabinet line-up which he described as a management team that will work with the people.

Announcing the line-up at Perdana Putra, he said he formed the Cabinet, which is a reformulation based on the current situation, for the sake of maintaining stability and putting the interests and safety of the Malaysia Family first.

"The Cabinet has to work fast and in unity in a bid to free Malaysia from the threats of COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty and political turmoil," he said. The announcement was aired live on local television channels.

Ismail Sabri was sworn in as Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara last Saturday.

He replaced Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who resigned on Aug 16 after losing the majority support in Parliament and his proposed bipartisan cooperation was rejected by political parties.

In the Cabinet reformulation, 13 portfolios were entrusted to experienced ministers who had helmed the ministries under the previous government.

They are Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili; Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong; and Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Also Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M.Saravanan; Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun; Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad; Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin; Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee; and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Two new faces in the Cabinet are former Perak Menteri Besar Perak cum Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu who was appointed as Youth and Sports Minister and PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad as Minister in the Prime Minister in charge of Religious Affairs.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also announced a portfolio swap between Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba with the former to be in charge of health and the latter, of science, technology and innovation.

Former Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa was appointed Minister of Communications and Multimedia to replace Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who will return to helm the Foreign Ministry.

Former Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was entrusted as Minister of Parliament and Law in the Prime Minister's Department to replace Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan who was appointed as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Two veteran ministers named in Ismail Sabri's Cabinet were Tan Sri Noh Omar as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as Rural Development Minister.

Ismail Sabri said the new Cabinet comprised a combination of experienced people believed capable of reviving the economy by supporting the entrepreneurs, facilitating businesses, revitalising economic activities and strengthening investors' confidence.

"I will ensure that the Cabinet will emphasise on high-performance work culture," he said while demanding all ministries to prove their early achievements in the first 100 days.

-- BERNAMA