MCA and MIC lawmakers could find themselves appointed as ministers in the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle right after the Pelangai by-election on Oct 7.
Speaking to FMT, a source shared that a “high-level” meeting was held recently to discuss the appointment of representatives from Barisan Nasional’s (BN) component parties.
“We will wait until Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announces the reshuffle because anything can happen, as in the Cabinet announcement last December,” the source was quoted as saying.
BN is presently only represented by UMNO and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) in the unity government’s Cabinet following the 15th general election (GE15).
MCA has two MPs, namely Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng while MIC has Tapah MP Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, who is also MIC’s deputy president.
PBRS has one MP in the Cabinet, namely party president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier hinted that the Cabinet reshuffle under Anwar’s leadership will happen in the near future.
He said one of the reasons was the vacancy in the position of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
“There must be a reshuffle. I think in the near future,” he was reported as saying by Harian Metro after attending a special meeting with the Putrajaya Division UMNO Leadership yesterday (Oct 1).
UMNO vice president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani also said it’s up to Anwar to make the decision as he has the complete authority over whether or not to reshuffle the Cabinet.
Last week, speculations about a Cabinet reshuffle also intensified after the civil service heads of five ministries were moved to new positions.
The media has been reporting the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, most likely after the Oct 7 Pelangai by-election, with several ministers likely to be affected. – Oct 2, 2023
Main pic credit: NST
