The appointment of interim ministers is a necessary measure to address urgent administrative matters, particularly in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary session, said Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Johari, who also serves as UMNO vice-president, stressed that the temporary assignments are critical to maintaining governmental operations in the absence of full-time ministers, especially ahead of the Parliament session scheduled from July 21 to August 28.
“The post of Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) became vacant following the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, just as the Economy Ministry was left without a minister after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli stepped down. In such circumstances, the Prime Minister must appoint interim ministers to ensure that key issues can be addressed, particularly with Parliament set to convene soon,” he said.
On July 9, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had informed the Cabinet of Johari’s appointment as the acting Minister for NRES, effective immediately.
Separately, on June 27, Shamsul Azri also confirmed that Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had been assigned to temporarily carry out the responsibilities of the Economy Minister.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the Kuantan UMNO Division Delegates Meeting today, Johari explained that interim appointments are necessary to ensure continuity in governance, particularly on time-sensitive matters such as the 13th Malaysia Plan, which falls under the purview of the Economy Ministry.
“There are parliamentary questions that must be answered, and critical matters to be resolved in the next one to three months. Temporary appointments are a practical solution to ensure ministerial functions continue without disruption,” he added.
Johari also dismissed claims that his appointment reflects growing UMNO dominance within the Unity Government, asserting that the party only holds 26 parliamentary seats.
“How could UMNO dominate the Cabinet when we have only 26 MPs? Political dominance is determined in Parliament, where the Unity Government collectively commands around 148 MPs — that is where the actual strength lies,” he remarked.
Commenting on reports of a meeting between Prime Minister Anwar and several Barisan Nasional (BN) ministers and MPs at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya yesterday, Johari confirmed he did not attend.
“I was not there. I had already travelled to Kuantan for a scheduled programme,” he said briefly.
