ANY Cabinet reshuffle under the unity government is the absolute prerogative based on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s discretion, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy PM was responding to rumours that Anwar would likely reshuffle his Cabinet after the state elections.
A PKR source told a local portal that any reshuffle will not be effective because a “clean-up” of senior civil servants will come first.
“Normally, no PM discusses reshuffling in Cabinet meetings,” said Zahid.
The rumours circulating two days ago said there would be a reshuffle after the six states hold their elections in July.
The six states holding state elections this year are Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pulau Pinang.
On the other hand, the PKR source said Anwar intended to cut some deadwood from his Cabinet, but the likelihood is that secretaries-general and directors-general from several unspecified ministries will be axed in a “house clean-up”.
While the source said certain Pakatan Harapan ministers do not know what they are doing, a clean-up is required.
The names of those who could be cut were given. However, the source also added that making a change at the ministerial level will make no difference if the incompetence remains within the civil service. — May 27, 2023
