Deputy ministers chosen

Abd Rahim: Appointed theDeputy Foreign Minister

PUTRAJAYA: Pahang assemblyman and executive council member Datuk Maznah Mazlan has been appointed the new Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Maznah, who currently holds the state seat of Muadzam Shah, will be sworn in as senator soon.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the appointment of Datuk Maznah. She will be sworn in as senator in a ceremony scheduled soon,” said the statement.

Maznah, who was recently appointed to helm the portfolios of Women, Family and Community Development Committee and the Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee in Pahang, replaces former deputy minister Sabahan Datuk Ghapur Salleh.

Maznah: Made the Deputy NaturalResources and Environment Minister

Other appointments are Kudah MP Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri as the new Deputy Foreign Minister and Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin as the Deputy Transport Minister.

“The appointments of these deputy ministers will take effect from the date they are sworn in and take the oath of secrecy in front of the King at 4.30pm next Wednesday in Istana Negara,” the statement said.

Lajim used to be the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.

Abd Rahim takes over from Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar while Lajim replaces Datuk Anifah Aman.

Both Tengku Azlan and Anifah rejected the posts when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the Cabinet on March 18. Ghapur announced his resignation eight days later.