Najib to announce cabinet reshuffle at 3.15pm

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) will announce his cabinet reshuffle at 3.15pm on Monday.

It is learnt that the reshuffle will be on a small scale and not involve sweeping changes.

The Star reported on Sunday that at least seven appointments are said to be on the cards, most of which are a result of vacancies arising from events, both political and tragic, in the past three months.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh may take over the EPU portfolio previously held by Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi meanwhile could be appointed Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, replacing Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas who resigned to contest in the Sarawak state elections.

Linggi is the current Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister.

At least two other deputy ministerial positions are also expected to be filled.

One was left vacant by the death of the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon, who was the Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.

The other is the deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism minister post, which was vacated when Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah stepped down to become the Kedah Mentri Besar.

The last Cabinet reshuffle in August last year saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal being axed.