Cabinet reshuffle a mere speculation, says Ismail Sabri

MELAKA: Any chatter about a Cabinet reshuffle is mere speculation, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

Asked on the possibility of a reshuffle, the Prime Minister replied that his current focus was on solving the people’s flood woes and Covid-19.

“Yes, people are talking, names are being mentioned, it’s normal.

“I have said it before that my focus now is on the floods, so I don’t want to talk about whether or not there will be a Cabinet reshuffle.

“I didn’t announce any, so there is none!” he said after visiting the SK Gangsa flood relief centre here yesterday.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali and State Secretary Datuk Kamel Mohamad.

There have been media reports speculating on a Cabinet reshuffle, with Utusan Malaysia predicting that a deputy prime minister will be appointed next week.

Quoting a source, the report stated that the details were being discussed.

It said the Prime Minister had met with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to deliberate on the matter, specifically involving the positions of ministers and deputy ministers from Bersatu.

Besides International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, the report stated that Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is Bersatu deputy president, is also being considered for the deputy prime minister’s post.

“However, Muhyiddin is leaning towards Azmin. During his administration, he trusted Azmin to handle the duties of the prime minister in his absence,” the source added.

Hamzah is the secretary-general of Bersatu and also Perikatan Nasional.

The report stated that if the DPM’s post was given to Ahmad Faizal, the latter’s Cabinet portfolio could go to Umno Information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan.

“This means there will be a balance between the number of Umno and Bersatu ministers within Ismail Sabri’s Cabinet,” the source was quoted as saying.

Last month, Ismail Sabri announced that the Cabinet had achieved 90% of the targets set for its first 100 days in office.

The performance was measured according to each ministry’s performance, leadership evaluation and public perception of the minister and ministry.