Prime Minister Najib Razak today unveiled a new Cabinet line-up, soon after comfortable wins in two by-elections as well as the Sarawak state elections.
Noh Omar, a veteran leader of the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), was appointed Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local government.
Mah Siew Keong, leader of the Malaysian People’s Movement Party, was appointed as the new plantation industry and commodities minister.
Abdul Rahman Dahlan was put in charge of the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, replacing Abdul Wahid Omar, who was not reappointed as senator at the end of his term.
Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, meanwhile, had reportedly resigned due to “personal reasons” and was replaced by Johari Abdul Ghani.
The last cabinet reshuffle was in July 2015, when Najib dropped leaders critical of his handling of troubled state fund 1MDB, including his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin.
A source within the ruling administration told Reuters that the strong results in Sarawak state polls in May and two by-elections earlier this month were what Najib was waiting for to decide when he will call national polls, which will likely be by the second half of 2017.
“This will strengthen the current administration further to ensure the government’s development agenda for the people – economic, welfare and security development – will continue smoothly as promised,” Najib told a news conference. — Additional text from Reuters
