ALL the 27 deputy ministers of the unity government were today sworn in before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.

They took their oaths of office, loyalty and secrecy before signing the official documents on their appointment, witnessed by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, were present to witness the ceremony, which began at 3pm.

Also in attendance were the two deputy prime ministers – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also rural and regional development minister, and Fadillah Yusof, who is also plantation industries and commodities minister – and their wives.

Also present were Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Affendi Buang.

The line-up of deputy ministers was unveiled by Anwar last night.

At the swearing-in ceremony, the deputy ministers were divided into four groups, with the first group led by the two deputy finance ministers – Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan and DAP national organising secretary Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Also in this group were Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, who is deputy minister of rural and regional development; Beaufort MP Siti Aminah Aching (deputy minister of plantation industries and commodities); Hasbi Habibollah (deputy transport minister); Chan Foong Hin (deputy minister of agriculture and food security) and Hanifah Hajar Taib (deputy minister of economy).

The second group comprised seven deputy ministers, including PKR strategic director Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (Local Government Development Ministry), Malacca Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari (Defence Ministry) and Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Works Ministry).

The others in the group were Barisan Nasional communications director Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is deputy home minister; Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong (International Trade and Industry Ministry); Lahad Datu MP Mohamad Yusof Apdal (Higher Education Ministry); and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah deputy president Arthur Joseph Kurup (Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry).

The third group was led by Wanita Amanah chief Aiman Athirah Sabu (Women, Family and Community Development Ministry), followed by former Wanita PKR chief Senator Fuziah Salleh (Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry) and Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (Prime Minister’s Department – Law and Institutional Reform).

Also in the group were Sarikei MP Huang Tiong Sii (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry), PKR vice-president Senator K. Saraswathy (Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry), Kimanis MP Mohamad Alamin (Foreign Affairs Ministry) and Batu Sapi MP Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry).

The final group comprised Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching (Communications and Digital Ministry); Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying (Education Ministry); Hang Tuah Jaya MP Adam Adli Abd Halim (Youth and Sports Ministry); Sepanggar MP Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud (Human Resources Ministry); Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Health Ministry) and Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Prime Minister’s Department – Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions). – Bernama, December 10, 2022.