Ahmad Zahid will propose BN leaders to fill vacancies
SEMENYIH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he will propose a list of Barisan Nasional leaders to be appointed into the Cabinet when the time is right.
According to the Barisan chairman, he has yet to be asked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to submit names to fill vacancies in the Cabinet.
“The Prime Minister has not asked for any names yet. When the time comes, I will inform him,” he said.
At present, there are several vacancies in the Cabinet, namely Economy Minister, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister.
Anwar had said he would decide on the appointments after a process of prudent consideration based on the people’s interests and the nation’s reform agenda.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid cautioned component parties to think carefully before deciding to leave Barisan, warning that political realignments over the next two years could leave some parties disadvantaged.
Warm welcome: Ahmad Zahid attending the opening of the IPF’s general assembly in Semenyih. — Bernama
He added the political landscape is expected to undergo significant changes ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16), making it crucial for parties to weigh their decisions prudently.
“The political landscape will change. I am confident it will change because within the next 24 months leading up to GE16, many things can happen and will almost certainly happen.
“So I caution against regretting decisions that are not aligned with changes in the political landscape. I fear some parties may end up in a state of uncertainty, and they should not regret it if that happens,” he added, without naming any party.
Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying this by Bernama after opening the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) general assembly here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said Barisan has yet to receive any official letter from MIC following its resolution to propose withdrawal from the coalition, and no decision has been made on the matter.
He also said that no meeting has taken place between Barisan and MIC since the party’s annual general assembly on Nov 16.
On whether Barisan would consider accepting IPF as a core component party, Ahmad Zahid said the matter is subject to unanimous consent among Barisan component parties, as stipulated under the coalition’s constitution.
“As we are bound by the Barisan constitution, all parties within the coalition must unanimously agree by consensus to accept any party as a core Barisan component.
“Due to this constitutional requirement, not only IPF, but many other parties have not been accepted as core component parties.”
On Nov 16, delegates at the 2025 MIC annual general assembly unanimously approved a resolution to leave Barisan and join Perikatan Nasional.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the decision paves the way for MIC to officially apply to join Perikatan.
