PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will not be announcing his new cabinet today, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Earlier this afternoon, he spent about 90 minutes with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Kuantan, where it is understood he briefed the king on his anticipated line-up.

It has been almost a week since Ismail Sabri became prime minister.

Speculation was rife that he would make his announcement after meeting the king today.

Yesterday, China Press quoted sources saying that Ismail Sabri will opt for a dual role, taking on the portfolio as finance minister, meaning no return for Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

The Chinese daily also said Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin will become deputy prime minister, while returning to head the Home Ministry.

The report went on to say that Ismail Sabri is expected to retain a number of ministers from Muhyiddin Yassin’s government, but it will be a smaller cabinet with Ismail Sabri’s former position as defence minister going to Umno vice-president Mahdzir Khalid and former rural development minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad replacing Dr Adham Baba as health minister. – August 26, 2021.