26 ministers 24 deputies
THE composition of the new cabinet has been finalised. Based on a ‘leakedʼ list, PKR will hold the lion’s share of ministerial positions. The swearing-in ceremony at Istana Negara is expected to be held on July 2.
THE new Federal cabinet helmed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to have 26 ministers and 24 deputies.
The supposed “leaked” list of the full cabinet lineup had been circulating on social media since Monday, but no official statement on its veracity has been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The list came out after Dr Mahathir, in a press conference, said that the cabinet composition had been finalised.
Pakatan Harapan, following its victory in the 14th General Election, announced only a core cabinet of 14 people.
Dr Mahathir, in an interview with Channel NewsAsia, said each party in PH had submitted a list of names to him for consideration.
He was quoted as saying that he did “inform the heads of the parties, that (he) will be choosing people who may not be in their list, and they have not protested”.
“I called up the people, ministers and deputy ministers, to ask them whether they accept the posts I’m giving them... And strangely, there was not much protest,” he said.
Based on the “leaked” list, PKR would hold the most ministerial positions in the cabinet.
PKR, which won 49 parliamentary seats in GE14, could helm eight ministries — four of which are filled — led by party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as deputy prime minister.
PKR also has eight deputy ministers, the most compared with their component members DAP, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Amanah Nasional (PAN), as well as PH-friendly Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
PPBM has two more ministers and three deputy ministers. The additional portfolios could lead to PPBM, led by Dr Mahathir, having six ministers and three deputy ministers.
DAP, led by its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is finance minister, will lead six ministries and have six deputy ministers. PAN, meanwhile, could have five ministers and five deputy ministers.
Warisan may be given three minister and two deputy minister posts.
Istana Negara, in a statement on Monday, said the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers and deputy ministers will be held on July 2 at Istana Negara.
Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had received the list of names of ministers and deputy ministers from the Prime Minister’s Office on June 20.
“The names of the cabinet ministers have been approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and have been returned to the Prime Minister’s Office on June 22, namely, on Friday.”.
He said the statement was issued to refer to a news report published by the Malay Mail Online titled “Cabinet List Delay: Dr M says ball in Agong’s court”.
“Istana Negara requests that all parties do not report any matter which is negative and inaccurate involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said Wan Ahmad Dahlan.