PM’s line-up today expected to include many new faces
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to announce an enlarged Cabinet today which will not only have many new faces but also see the creation of new ministries and the streamlining of existing ones.
Abdullah is set to make the announcement at 11.30am and the event will be carried live on most TV stations, said an aide.
Sources said the Prime Minister had made sweeping changes to the ministries, in some instances merging two ministries to create three.
The streamlining exercise, according to sources, would include placing all major utilities like water and power under a single new ministry.
Sources said Abdullah would also resolve another past problem – that of overlapping responsibilities. An example is public transport where the permits to operate the services are under the jurisdiction of the Public Enterprises Ministry while enforcement is the task of the Transport Ministry.
They also said that certain portfolios, like Environment, which are close to Abdullah’s heart, have been given special attention. Environment is set to be a ministry on its own.
At present the Department of Environment comes under the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry although the new portfolio would take in the multimedia sector as well, said the sources.
They said that the enlarged Cabinet would see the entry of fresh faces including some first-time MPs and the exit of some old guards.
Barisan Nasional component party leaders met Abdullah individually at his office after lunch to submit their proposals. It is learnt that the leaders
were told by the Prime Minister of their party's allocation of the posts of ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Abdullah also met several mentris besar to approve their state executive councillor line-up.
Among the MBs were Kedah's Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain and Perak's Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman and Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, who is expected to be sworn in as Pahang Mentri Besar.
Syed Razak told reporters that he had discussed with the Prime Minister the state line-up and it had been approved.
“The line-up will be announced on Sunday,” he said.
Adnan said he received the letter of appointment earlier this week but the swearing-in was postponed because Sultan Ahmad Shah was indisposed.
“I also had to consult the PM and the Ruler about the line-up,” he added.
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