Outcome of PKR polls will not lead to Cabinet reshuffle, says Anwar

 However, the prime minister says he could not prevent ministers from resigning.

Anwar Ibrahim, who is the PKR president, said the party election this Friday was a competition involving friends, close associates and acquaintances. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The PKR election will have no bearing on the Cabinet, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, although he admitted that he could not prevent any minister from resigning.

Anwar, who is the PKR president, also said the party election this Friday was a competition involving friends, close associates and acquaintances, Bernama reported.

Therefore, he said the question of a Cabinet reshuffle did not arise.

“If you ask me, I have no plans to make any changes to the Cabinet,” he was quoted as saying.

However, Anwar said he could not stop anyone from resigning, adding that it “is normal”.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who will be defending his post in a straight fight with Nurul Izzah Anwar, last night repeated his promise to resign as economy minister if he lost in the polls.

Earlier this month, Rafizi said the stability of the unity government would not be affected if he were to resign and be “a regular MP”.

There was previously speculation that Rafizi had resigned from Anwar’s Cabinet following the PKR divisional elections, which saw several figures said to be closely associated with the former failing to win their contests.

Rafizi, however, later clarified that he had taken leave to look into issues related to the polls.

Anwar said the heated competition in the polls should be seen positively and does not reflect any element of political instability in the country.

“What is happening in the competition for the position is stable politics. We have to look at it positively,” he said. - FMT