Muhy sacked, Zahid is DPM
Published on: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Putra Jaya: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak unveiled a new Cabinet, Tuesday, putting an end to speculation and rumours.Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi replaces Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the new deputy Prime Minister.Ahmad Zahid retains his portfolio of Home Minister while Najib also keeps his Finance Minister post.
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Najib said the King had given his consent on the new Cabinet in line with the Federal Constitution.He said the new line-up will continue to focus on the country's development efforts as promised by Barisan Nasional in the last general election.The ones dropped from the new line-up are former MIC President Datuk Seri G. Palanivel (Natural Resources and Environment), Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Rural and Regional Development) and Datuk Seri Hasan Malek (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism).The newly appointed Ministers include Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Hamzah Zainudin (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism), Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Natural Resources and Environment), Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Education), Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Salleh Said Keruak (Communication and Multimedia), Datuk Azalina Othman Said (Prime Minister's Department) and Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (International Trade and Industry II).
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The Education Ministry has been split into two ministries with the Education portfolio going to Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh given the Higher Education Minister post.Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed is now the deputy Home Minister.
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"BN was founded on the principles of unity. That is the hallmark of this nation and the recipe for our future success."Insha'Allah, I believe the new Cabinet will drive forward the government's ability to deliver on our promises to the people during the last GE. Nothing is more important than the needs of Malaysia and the people, I will always put their interests above all others."I am confident that in time, this new Cabinet will increase public confidence in the government and BN ahead of GE14," said Najib.The new line-up takes immediate effect.The new cabinet will ensure that the government has the strength and unity to focus on development plans for Malaysia and the challenges ahead, Najib said.In a posting on his Facebook page, Najib said following the democratic mandate given to the Barisan Nasional Government in the 2013 General Election, it is his duty to ensure that the Government delivers on its transformation programme."The Cabinet must act as one solid team. I welcome vigorous debate, and accept and tolerate criticism or even dissent.However, this process should take place in Cabinet as part of the decision-making process. "Members of the Cabinet should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the Government and Malaysia. It is contrary to the concept of collective responsibility that is the foundation of Cabinet Government," he said.Najib said the decision to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was very difficult, but leadership is about doing what you think is right. "To deliver for Malaysia, I must have a solid and unified team moving in the same direction. "Nevertheless, I thank Tan Sri Muhyiddin for all his work and dedication to the Government and country, as I do all those ministers who are no longer in the Cabinet," he added. Najib said he believes that the new Cabinet line-up will drive forward the Government's ability to deliver on its promises to the people at the last General Election. "Nothing is more important than the needs of Malaysia and the people, I will always put their interests above all others. "I am confident that, in time, this new Cabinet will increase public confidence in the Government and Barisan Nasional ahead of the 14th General Election," he said.Muhyiddin had earlier said he accepted the prime minister's decision to drop him from the Cabinet line-up saying it was his prerogative, but vowed to continue the Umno struggle as its deputy president.He said could accept the fact that he may have been sacked due to his stand on the debt-ridden 1MDB.Muhyiddin said that while he was always supportive of Najib's leadership and all the government policy, he held a different view when it came to 1MDB."It was only on the 1MDB issue that I had my own principles and stand in order to defend the rights of the people, the good name of the party and also in the best interest of the nation."If it is because of my stand on this issue that caused me to be dropped, then I accept it wholeheartedly," he said in his post, that has so far garnered more than 130,000 likes.He also stressed that he will remain loyal to the party's struggle and carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him with the aim of bringing back the confidence of Malays to the party."As Umno deputy president, I will continue to carry out the trust given to me and offer my services in the aim of strengthening the party and returning the confidence of Malays and the nation to Umno.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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