Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce changes to his cabinet on Tuesday (Dec 12) in his first leadership reshuffle since taking power a year ago, according to various reports by the local media.
A local English daily citing “highly placed” sources, reported that the cabinet reshuffle is likely to affect “several ministries” and could see the return of “several senior MPs who had previously served as ministers”.
It added that a few MPs may make their debut as ministers.
Government news agency said a swearing-in ceremony of federal ministers is scheduled to be held at the Istana Negara at 2.30pm.
Apart from taking the oath of office, loyalty and secrecy, the new members of the cabinet will also be awarded their respective letters of appointment during the ceremony, said the report, citing sources.
A private broadcaster said that the reshuffle will involve “more than six people” and that some ministers will be “swapping portfolios”.
He is expected to announce a new Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to replace Dr Salahuddin Ayub, who died in July due to a brain haemorrhage.
Local media have also speculated that the PM could appoint a second finance minister, with The Star previously reporting that United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) member Johari Abdul Ghani could be a possible candidate. Mr Anwar currently holds the Finance Minister portfolio.
Mr Johari, who is Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, served as second finance minister from 2016 to 2018 during former premier Najib Razak’s administration.
There is also talk that Anwar could make changes to the Ministry of Human Resources as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change. Another media reported that the PM is reportedly likely to recreate the Ministry of Federal Territories as a standalone entity. The ministry was administratively restructured under the Prime Minister’s Office after the last general election.
