JOHOR BARU: Talk is rife that two Umno MPs from Johor may make the cut in the new Cabinet line-up.
This includes Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
It is learnt that Umno has been offered some key portfolios in the new Cabinet including Rural Development and Law.
ALSO READ: Sources: Anwar to unveil partial Cabinet line-up on Dec 2
Political sources said that Mohamed Khaled may get the rural development portfolio while Azalina possibly law.
"We expect if Azalina is not given any Cabinet position, she is expected to be given a role in Parliament.
"We also expect Umno to also be given several deputy minister positions," the source said.
Other Umno contenders in the running include Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for deputy prime minister and deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Sources said other key portfolios Umno is eyeing include the powerful Home Ministry, Education and possibly even Finance.
The Star had previously quoted Mohamed Khaled during his campaign trail in Kota Tinggi as assuring his constituents that he would make time for them if he has to take on a Federal post should Barisan Nasional win the 15th General Election (GE15).
He however, said that any Federal position was up to the party to decide.
"I will divide my time between Kota Tinggi and whatever role I need to play.
"Providing efficient service does not mean I have to be here all day long, every day," he said.
Asked as to when the full Cabinet list to be announced, the sources said that it may take up to next week as there were intense lobbying from various quarters.
"There are some with pending court cases which are also not favoured by the rulers to be included in the list," the source added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to unveil a partial Cabinet line-up on Friday (Dec 2), say sources.
According to a source, Anwar is expected to announce his Cabinet "in the late afternoon" between 4pm and 5pm on Friday.
It was also understood that Anwar would announce the two deputy prime ministers.
