A SWEARING-IN ceremony of ministers is scheduled at Istana Negara at 2.30pm tomorrow.  

According to sources, apart from taking the oath of office, loyalty and secrecy, the new members of the cabinet will also be awarded their respective letters of appointment during the ceremony.

On December 1, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hinted that there would be a cabinet reshuffle this month.  

Currently, there is a vacancy for the domestic trade and cost of living portfolio following the death of Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

The duties are currently assumed by Armizan Mohd Ali, who is Sabah, Sarawak Affairs, and Special Duties minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. 

Meanwhile, business portal The Edge reported that the reshuffle will likely include the appointment of a finance minister II.

Quoting sources, the portal said Amir Hamzah Azizan, chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), is tipped to be appointed to the post.

Amir joined the EPF in March 2021.

Other additions to the cabinet, according to the report, include the return of Johari Abdul Ghani, Gobind Singh Deo, and Dzulkefly Ahmad to the cabinet.

Johari previously held the post of finance minister II from June 2016 to May 2018 under the Barisan Nasional administration, while Gobind was communications and multimedia minister during the May 2018-February 2020 Pakatan Harapan administration, when Dzulkefly was the health minister.

One or two ministries may also see their responsibilities swapped with others, the sources further said.

Meanwhile, Malay daily Berita Harian reported that the reshuffle would also see changes in five ministries.

They are the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the Finance Ministry with a second minister appointed, and the Health Ministry.

Anwar is also expected to bring back the Federal Territories Ministry. 

Meanwhile two other ministries are expected to be carved up – the Digital Communications Ministry and the of Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. – Bernama, December 11, 2023.