‘No Cabinet reshuffle’
Below par but they’re learning, PM says of his ministers
PUTRAJAYA: There is no need to restructure the existing Cabinet, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“There will be no restructure,” said the Prime Minister to the media yesterday. “I don’t see any reason why I need to.” Dr Mahathir was speaking to the media at an interview held in conjunction with the first anniversary of Pakatan Harapan’s takeover of Putrajaya on May 9.
When asked what his evaluation of the Cabinet was, he answered: “Five out of 10.” “I am very conservative,” he said.
“I have been in the government for 22 years and I know how government functions, but these people (ministers) are new; they do not know how a government functions.
They (the ministers) are so afraid of being accused of wrongdoing and all these decision-makings by them are more difficult. But they are learning very fast.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
“They are so afraid of being accused of wrongdoing and all these decision-makings by them are more difficult. But they are learning very fast.
“Sometimes they come to me because I have the experience.
“I have to teach and guide them so that they can perform,” said Dr Mahathir.
There has been talk of a Cabinet reshuffle following perception that most of the Pakatan ministers were not performing up to expectations.
“Sometimes, they do something without consulting me that should not be done - and creating minor problems and all that,” said Dr Mahathir.
“Of course, when they get bad publicity because of what they do, then they come to me and ask what should be done.
“As the Prime Minister, I listen to their problems.
“The good thing is that while we have the Prime Minister sitting as the chairman, the others are not barred from making their own decisions.
“But if they find difficulties, they have a right to see the Prime Minister.
“Sometimes, they make statements which are not very good but they are learning,” said Dr Mahathir.
He refused to reveal who among the ministers fared well and who did not.