NAJIB LAUGHS AT MAHATHIR: CABINET RESHUFFLE SO SOON? THEY MUST BE VERY INCOMPETENT

KUALA LUMPUR: The possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle has raised questions on the performance of current Cabinet members, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The former prime minister said that based on convention, a Cabinet reshuffle would only take place after about a year and a half.

“But if it happens within this one or two days, it means that the decision is something that is out of convention in the country.

“So it does add to the interpretation or perception that the ministers are not qualified and not performing their duties,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday (Nov 14).

Asked if the decision to reshuffle has anything to do with the PKR polls, Najib said it was up to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whether he wanted to take the PKR party polls as a consideration for a reshuffle.

“In fact some of them were appointed later, so the tenure is very short… at this juncture, it means that they have not been performing,” he added.

Asked to rate the performance of the current Cabinet ministers, Najib said “it is not for me to decide because I am the opposition.

“You cannot expect me to rate them highly.

“It is up to the rakyat to rate them, that is more important,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail asked the media to direct queries on the purported Cabinet reshuffle to Dr Mahathir.

On Tuesday, Dr Mahathir said he was open to the idea of reshuffling his Cabinet, reported The Straits Times.

Following the conclusion of the PKR elections last weekend, Dr Mahathir maintained that he has the final say on Cabinet appoints, and did not rule out making changes if PKR were to make nominations.

They (PKR) can submit names, they can argue their case. I have my own views also.

“And the principle is that this Cabinet is chaired by me as the Prime Minister and I need to have people who I am comfortable with. So whether I accept nominations from them or not, is really up to me,” he told The Straits Times.

THE STAR