Minister: No need for PM to bow to cabinet reshuffle demands

 

There is no need for the government to reshuffle the cabinet to satisfy the demands of certain parties, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

He said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should not bow to the pressure placed on him, adding that all parties in the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition need to preserve the close friendship and cooperation in the alliance.

"Why should we reshuffle the cabinet? We have only been in government for a few months. If anyone demands that a cabinet reshuffle must be carried out, that is just a personal opinion," he said as reported by Berita Harian.

The Alor Gajah MP said this when met by reporters at a social gathering with 100 media practitioners in Ayer Keroh, Malacca last night.

Redzuan (above) added that any internal problems of the PN government at this time should be resolved through consultation, just like in a family.

On Friday, Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said leaders from his party should be given the deputy prime minister's post as well as key cabinet positions.

The Pasir Salak MP argued that his demand was in line with the number of parliamentary seats held by Umno and its contributions to the PN government.

"By right, the deputy prime minister's post should be given to Umno.

"Umno as the largest PN component should be rewarded and given recognition, but unfortunately that has not been the case," he said.

Tajuddin also took aim at Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali who only brought along nine former PKR MPs into Bersatu, pointing out that this was in contrast to Umno's "strong" position.

In brushing this off, Redzuan said the existing cabinet members were able to carry out their responsibilities to govern the country well, especially given the situation where the government and the people were struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic with increasing cases.

"We have to strengthen the government, not divide (among ourselves). If some parties claim that he supports one individual and another party supports another individual, we must be thoughtful because we are fighting for the people," said Redzuan in an apparent reference to the declaration by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim that he now has the support of a majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

"We abide by the law and the Constitution. The people understand that the future of the country depends on political stability," he added. - Mkini