SERDANG: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refuted rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle following a viral photograph of the full Cabinet taken on Friday (July 19) before a meeting in Putrajaya.
"Yesterday was one of the few times where all of the Cabinet members were present, so we wanted to take pictures of all members," he told press conference after the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here on Saturday (July 20).
Asked if there was a possibility of a reshuffle in the near future, Dr Mahathir said: What do you suggest?
"I listen to people, you know, I am influenced by you," he shot back, drawing laughter from the media.
The photograph showed the full Cabinet – with no absentees – together with Dr Mahathir before the scheduled meeting in the morning at the Prime Minister's Office.
On Bersatu's election, Dr Mahathir, who is the party chairman, said they had yet to fix a date.
"We hope to be able to do it this year," he added.
Dr Mahathir said 79 out of 80 amendments to the party's constitution were approved by some 900 delegates who attended the EGM.
"While they agreed to have affiliated members from non-Bumiputeras, they will not appointed as committee members," he said without explaining which committee.
He also noted there were proposals of "one member one vote" system for the party election, but said it was not practical.
Earlier, in his opening speech, Dr Mahathir warned party leaders and members that they must not go down Umno’s path of putting personal aspirations ahead of the struggle for race, religion and country.
"We do not fight for our own interest but we fight for the race, religion and country, so when we succeed, so we will be looked upon highly and respected after sharing all the benefits amongst us," he said.
"Let us not be like Umno. We fight for the party's strugggle and not for self-interest.
"We always have to remember that the rakyat will not support those who fight for their personal interests," he said.
