Pm Has Limited Choice In Cabinet Line Up Bersatu Minister

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The reappointment of old faces into Ismail Sabri Yaakob's cabinet was made as the prime minister had limited choice, said Bersatu minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
"As the ninth premier, he had no choice. He could only pick from the 114 MPs who supported him. His choice was limited too and (he had to) choose the same people unless the opposition MPs could support him," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
"If he had obtained votes from the opposition, PKR and DAP, he could have picked from those among the opposition. If you want to get new faces, wait until the 15th general election," added Latiff (above), the newly appointed minister with special functions.
The new line-up unveiled by Ismail Sabri yesterday was not well received by the opposition and civil society who claimed it was merely a recycle of Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional cabinet. 
Some regretted that the premier wasted the golden opportunity in naming more capable MPs into the cabinet.

Ismail Sabri's party colleague, Umno supreme council member Johari Abdul Ghani, even described the new line-up as "uninspiring". 
Latiff, who was the former rural development minister under Muhyiddin's administration, said it was impossible for Ismail Sabri to allocate the portfolio to any "outsider".
"He would not want to appoint people from outside as senator. We can't change the crew members in a raging storm. So, we have to weather the storm together with the same crew members," said the Mersing MP.




Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Meanwhile, PAS' Ahmad Marzuk Shaary who was reappointed as the deputy minister (religious affairs) in the Prime Minister's Department, said the reappointment of the old faces was meant to continue the good policies implemented by the previous administration.
The restructuring of several ministries, where the ministers were given another portfolio, was made to further strengthen their capability in heading these ministries, according to him.
"We will have a stronger cabinet which is able to fulfil the expectation of the country and the people. This is a cabinet with integrity. Most importantly, it is backed by MPs from various backgrounds," Marzuk said. 
The Pengkalan Chepa MP said he expected that the new cabinet line-up would receive criticism from various quarters, especially from the opposition.
"The opposition will continue to oppose... that's why they are the opposition. But, the fact remains that the people will accept the cabinet although it was rejected by some opposition leaders," he added.
Marzuk said he hardly found any constructive comment from the opposition on the new cabinet line-up.
Apart from Ismail Sabri, there were 30 MPs and senators appointed to the cabinet in the government formed by Muhyiddin, who had resigned as the premier on Aug 16.
Some in the new cabinet were ministers during the BN era.
One of them is Arau MP Shahidan Kassim who was entrusted with the Federal Territories Ministry, replacing Annuar Musa who will move to the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.
Ismail Sabri also appointed 34 deputy ministers.  - Mkini

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