Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the new deputy prime minister and will also retain his current portfolio as home minister.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced this today in a live telecast, confirming The Malaysian Insider’s report this morning of a Cabinet reshuffle.
Najib also announced the removal of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his deputy, calling it a “difficult decision” but one he had to make to ensure that the Cabinet operated as a collective unit.
“The Cabinet must act as one solid team. I welcome vigorous debate, and can accept dissent and criticism. 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.
“It is also against the concept of collective responsibility,” Najib said in his announcement broadcast on TV1.
Najib added that the Cabinet reshuffle was done after taking into account political considerations and the needs of his administration to ensure that it remained focused on implementing Malaysia’s development.
“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 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.
“My decision to replace Muhyiddin with Zahid… was made in view of political considerations and the interests of the administration so that my administration will always be committed and focused to the country’s development and to fulfilling the promises made by Barisan Nasional the people in the 13th general elections,” Najib said.
Zahid meanwhile said his appointment as deputy prime minister was “not a reward” but a responsibility towards the various races in Malaysia.
Also a casualty in today’s reshuffle was Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who was dropped as rural and regional development minister.
He had been vocal in his criticism of Putrajaya’s handling of the 1MDB crisis.
Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com
