PETALING JAYA: Several names are being floated ahead of a possible Cabinet reshuffle following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement.
Among these are Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Talks are that Johari, who has a banking background and was Finance Minister II in previous administrations, would assume the post of Investment, Trade and Industry left vacant by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Another possibility is the post of Economy Minister, previously held by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli before he resigned.
Johari, who is Titiwangsa MP from Umno, is also carrying out the duties and functions of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister following the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Other names on the cards are PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Selangor Mentri Besar and PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari - although analysts say these two are unlikely.
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Amirudin has also previously said that he would like to serve out his tenure as Mentri Besar.
Also floated are Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Datuk Seri Reezal Naina Merican.
On Monday (Dec 1), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted that a major Cabinet reshuffle is not on the cards, with only current vacancies set to be filled.
The four vacancies include that of Datuk Ewon Benedick, who resigned as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister earlier this month.
On Tuesday (Dec 2), Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that the duties would be taken over by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi following Ewon’s resignation.
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