RUMORS RIFE SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH TO BE MADE FOREIGN MINISTER, KIAN MING INTERNATIONAL TRADE AMID REPORT MAHATHIR HAS SUBMITTED ANOTHER 15 NAMES TO AGONG TO FILL HIS CABINET

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has submitted the names of 15 additional cabinet members to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.

According to a government source, the list was submitted on Wednesday.

“There will be a total of 28 ministers, two each from Sabah and Sarawak. Deputy ministers are also included, along with names for senators who might be appointed as well,” he told Malaysiakini.

However, the number of deputy ministers and prospective senators were not specified.

The source said among those on the list for minister positions are PKR’s Saifuddin Abdullah, Amanah’s Khalid Samad as well as DAP’s Teresa Kok and Ong Kian Ming.

Malaysiakini learned that Saifuddin would helm the foreign affairs portfolio whereas Ong would be made international trade minister.

During an interview with Malaysiakini this morning, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran also confirmed that the names have been sent to the Agong.

“I’m not privy to it, but I know (the names have been submitted) because the PM did say this to us. It’s just a matter of time, today, Monday, Tuesday (for the appointments) to take effect,” he added.

Kulasegaran is also hoping there would be another Indian minister as it would help reduce his workload in having to attend to issues concerning the community.

At present, there are 13 ministers, including Kulasegaran, who were sworn in on May 21. These are:

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as women, family and community development minister.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as home minister.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu as defence minister

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as finance minister

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali as economic minister

Bersatu’s Mazlee Malik as education minister

PKR’s Zuraida Kamaruddin as housing and local government minister

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub as agriculture and agro-based industry minister

DAP’s Gobind Singh as communication and multimedia minister

Bersatu’s Rina Harun as rural development minister

Amanah’s Dzulkefly Ahmad as health minister

DAP’s Anthony Loke as transport minister

MKINI