The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has confirmed that a Cabinet reshuffle will take place, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim set to announce the new lineup soon.
In a statement, the PMO said Anwar would decide on the list of ministers and deputy ministers in the Madani government after “careful and prudent consideration”, based on the people’s interests and the direction of national reforms.
Earlier today, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir and religious affairs minister Na’im Mokthar were sworn in for their second term as senators.
The trio took their oaths before Dewan Negara president Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah at the start of the Senate sitting. They were first appointed as senators in December 2022.
Their swearing-in comes amid growing expectation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, with four ministerial posts currently vacant.
Economy minister Rafizi Ramli and natural resources and environment sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned in May, while entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister Ewon Benedick stepped down last month.
The investment, trade and industry portfolio is also vacant as Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s second and final term as a senator ended on Dec 2, the maximum tenure allowed under the Federal Constitution.
In the interim, finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan is overseeing the economy portfolio, while plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani is handling natural resources and environment sustainability.
Ewon’s former portfolio is being managed by works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.
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