Ministers, deputy ministers to be sworn in before king today
KUALA LUMPUR: Cabinet ministers and their deputy ministers will be taking their oath of office, loyalty and secrecy before Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V at 11am today.
Parti Amanah Negara communication director Khalid Samad, who confirmed the matter yesterday, said he received an official letter from Istana Negara on Friday to attend the ceremony.
Asked about details of the government portfolio that was mentioned in the same letter, he said: “It did not say specifically, (instead) it only mentioned cabinet minister,” he said when contacted by NSTP.
Based on a recent list of possible cabinet ministers that went viral, Khalid, who is Shah Alam member of parliament, is expected to be appointed federal territories minister.
It is believed that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia secretary-general and Sri Gading MP Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh will be appointed deputy federal territories minister.
When commenting on the oath-taking and swearing-in ceremony for him and the remaining members of the cabinet, Khalid said a full dress rehearsal would be held at 9am today.
He said the rehearsal would facilitate the smooth running of the ceremony and allow the participants to be prepared on palace protocol.
Khalid said the actual ceremony that would be conducted before Sultan Muhammad V was slated at 11am.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution also confirmed that he received an invitation to attend the same ceremony.
“Yes, I received the invitation letter from Istana (Negara). I will attend it,” he said.
The recent viral predictions of cabinet postings have it that Saifuddin would be be appointed domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism minister.
DAP deputy secretary-general Teresa Kok also confirmed that she would be attending the swearing-in ceremony for cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.
She is expected to be appointed primary industry minister, based on recent speculation.