THE revamped cabinet will spur government efforts to provide the best services to the people and the country, in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He was also optimistic that the cabinet would work as a team to strengthen the economy and boost prosperity of all Malaysians.

“I would like to congratulate all new leaders who have been appointed and taken their oaths as cabinet members in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today,” he posted on Facebook after the cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today.

“I’m convinced that the new leadership can provide the best services with integrity and dedication throughout their tenure,” he added.

Anwar added four new faces in the reshuffle – Amir Hamzah Azizan (finance minister II), Ramanan Ramakrishnan (deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister), Wong Kah Woh (deputy education minister) and Dr Zulkifli Hasan (deputy religious affairs minister in the Prime Minister’s Department).

Amir and Zulkifli were appointed senators earlier in the day before their swearing-in as cabinet members at 2.30pm, while Ramanan and Wong are serving MPs, for Sungai Buloh and Taiping respectively.

The newcomers are joined by five former ministers – Johari Abdul Ghani, Gobind Singh Deo, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Noraini Ahmad and M. Kulasegaran – in the new cabinet line-up.

Johari is the new plantation and commodities minister, while Gobind and Dr Dzulkefly are returning to ministries they helmed previously – the Health Ministry and the Digital Ministry respectively. 

Meanwhile, Noraini has been appointed deputy women, family and community development minister, and Kulasegaran will serve as deputy law and institutional minister in Prime Minister’s Department.

In another post, Zahid, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president, also congratulated the leadership of both party and coalition, over the appointment of two of their leaders to the cabinet.

He said the appointments were made based on the experience, competencies and commitment to continue to be together with the government and develop the country and fulfil Malaysia Madani aspirations.

“Only by putting our strengths, thoughts together in an efficient collaboration, can we bring about impactful results for a brighter future for our country,” he posted.

He expressed hope that the close cooperation among cabinet members would bring about a new synergy to create a holistic transformation that would drive the sustainable growth of the country.

The number of BN leaders in the current administration now stands at 13 following the appointment of Umno leaders Johari and Noraini. – Bernama, December 12, 2023.