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Trimmer Cabinet: 6 ministries to become 3
PUTRAJAYA: At least three ministries will "disappear", while parliamentary secretaries will make a comeback when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak names his cabinet.Najib is said to have received consent from the palace to announce his line-up.
He is expected to do so as soon as he finishes meeting leaders of Barisan Nasional component party leaders today or tomorrow.
It is understood that the merger of six ministries into three is to avoid overlapping of duties and jurisdictions, to make Najib's administration smaller but more effective.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry is expected to be merged with the Tourism Ministry; Higher Education Ministry with the Education Ministry; and, Plantation, Industries and Commodities Ministry with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
At least one minister who lost in his bid for a post in Umno recently is likely to be retained. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim is likely to continue to lead Wisma Putra although he lost in his bid for a vice-president's post.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Mansor is also likely to remain in his post.
The Finance Ministry, now headed by Najib, is likely to be strengthened with Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, an economist, moving from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry. Both Najib and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah are expected to remain in the ministry.
Several people are being lined up to be appointed senators, to become full ministers.
Najib is, however, keeping the list of names close to his chest.
"There is no way you will know it until he makes the official announcement. Until then, people can make all sorts of guesses and speculation," said an aide to the prime minister.
"But the line-up, on the whole, will reflect the prime minister's 1Malaysia concept, that is unity and progress in diversity."
The aide said, however, that despite the short time since his appointment as prime minister, Najib had sought the views and opinions of people from all levels of society, including leaders, academicians, businessmen and community leaders on who should be in his line-up.
This was to ensure that the people would be well represented and taken care of.
It is also said that ideas and input from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission were also being sought.
Over the past few days, several Barisan Nasional component party leaders met Najib over the cabinet appointments. Among them was MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. Sabah and Sarawak BN leaders also made their representations.
Mukhriz: Dad will rejoin Umno
SUNGAI PETANI: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will rejoin Umno in a day or two, his son Datuk Mukhriz said yesterday.Mukhriz, the Jerlun member of parliament, said his father would campaign in the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections..
"The most important thing for me is Dr Mahathir's return to Umno," he said after visiting the Taman Joget homestay here.
Dr Mahathir quit the party in May last year, citing as reason his lack of confidence in the party's leadership.-
Mukhriz said his defeat in the contest for the Umno Youth chief''s post had not dampened his spirit to contribute to the party.
Mukhriz said that he was prepared to accept any responsibility given by Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is taking his oath of office as the new prime minister today, succeeding Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Najib sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister
10.27am: Swearing in ceremony of Najib as PM ends.
10.25am: Abdullah’s wife Jeanne conferred the Darjah Seri Setia Mahkota Negara, which also carries the title Tun.
10.23am: Abdullah conferred the nation's highest award, Darjah Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara, which carries the title Tun.
10.10am: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sworn in as Prime Minister before the Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.
The swearing in ceremony is also witnessed by the two previous Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
09.55am: King arrives for swearing in ceremony.
09.45am: Abdullah and Najib arrive at Istana Negara.
09.30am: Ministers and officials gather at Istana Negara. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also arrives at the Palace.
SLIPPERY PASSENGER
Fishing is common in Sabah, whether it is to make a living or for pleasure. Many small-time fishermen often cart their catch on their vehicles but this fishermen may be pressing his luck.
The more than a metre-long "passenger" is in danger of sliding off the motorcycle and this might be unfortunate for the fisherman and on-coming motorists
Abdullah: Support Najib
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday chaired his last cabinet meeting..jpg)
His advice to his cabinet colleagues: pursue the national missions and policies put in place to ensure the country's strength in facing challenges of the future.
Ministers, as they were leaving the Prime Minister's Office compound where the weekly meeting took place, said Abdullah stressed that Barisan Nasional leaders must strive to meet the people's aspirations.
At the meeting, which they described as cheery and "at times sombre", Abdullah pledged he would refrain from interfering in the new administration and asked that they give Datuk Seri Najib Razak their undivided support.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Abdullah hoped his policies and initiatives would continue to be well executed.
"The prime minister expressed hope that there would be continuity in the policies agreed upon in past cabinet meetings.
"We believe that the policies, decisions and changes made by Pak Lah in his five-year administration, must be implemented.
"He also touched on the economic corridor projects and the feasibility studies done on them.
"The cabinet noted that although there was a transition of power, we are still under the same ruling government. To us, the past policies should be continued, with coming changes being determined by the incoming prime minister," he said.
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Abdullah also asked that the new leadership put emphasis on sound human capital development.
"Abdullah shared with us his aspirations for the nation and called on us to be effective leaders under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib," he said.
International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who by convention will become deputy prime minister in the next administration, said the cabinet expressed its appreciation to Abdullah for his contributions and sacrifices to the party and government.
"The cabinet also lauded him for facilitating a smooth transition."
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Abdullah also spoke on issues close to his heart, including unity among the people and empowering the people, especially the young, through quality education.
Abdullah, he added, urged the cabinet to give prominence to matters that form the strength of the country's development.
"I am rather disappointed that many do not really know what Pak Lah is all about, like we in the cabinet do.
"To us this man has a huge heart, a leader who is sincere and always puts the interests of the people and the nation before his.
"My hope is that the nation remembers him for these traits in his leadership," Hishammuddin, who is a newly-minted Umno vice-president, said.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said Abdullah expressed confidence in Najib's leadership.
Najib to be sworn in as PM tomorrow
PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has given his consent for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be sworn in as Prime Minister tomorrow, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said. In a statement issued here last night, Mohd Sidek said Tuanku Mizan had also consented to grant an audience to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib at 10am today for Abdullah to relinquish the post and seek consent to appoint Najib as the new Prime Minister. Tuanku Mizan gave his consent after granting Abdullah an audience before the Cabinet meeting yesterday. The King has given his consent for Najib to be presented his letter of appointment as Prime Minister and to take his oath of office, loyalty and confidentiality at Istana Negara at 10am tomorrow
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