Reshuffle likely as PM sets sights on general election

Link artikel: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/21/nation/7473204&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: A Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards as Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sets his sights on a general election next year.

The reshuffle, expected by next month, will enable him to form a strong team to help him implement the economic and transformation policies he has put in place and carry the Government into the 13th general election.

It is understood the impending reshuffle will not be as major as Najib's first reshuffle shortly after he came in as Prime Minister, nor as minor as the one last year.

But it will be quite substantial with at least three ministers likely to make way for younger leaders.

Of the three, one is said to be a senior face from the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad era while the other two had joined the Cabinet of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Among some of his choices to promote to the Cabinet are deputy ministers Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (Higher Education), Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (International Trade and Industry), Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad (Defence) and Datuk Razali Ibrahim (Youth and Sports).

Sources said the Prime Minister is unlikely to bring in new faces via the Senate because there are already five senators among the ministers. The Cabinet changes are expected to happen soon after Najib, who is also Umno president, puts in place his new line-up in the Umno leadership of several states.

The impending reshuffle will affect mainly Umno although there is likely to be some changes in portfolios for a few ministers and deputy ministers.

The shake-up of the state Umno leadership is said to be on the agenda of the Umno supreme council on Friday and party sources say the changes may be announced the same day.

Sources said the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry is too overloaded and some of its functions may be off-loaded to another ministry.

Najib made a major Cabinet reshuffle shortly after he was sworn in as Prime Minister in April last year that saw eight ministers, including several senior ones, dropped.

He brought in seven new faces as ministers and nine first-time deputy ministers. He also trimmed the number of ministries from 32 to 27 and the number of ministers from 22 to 19.

In June last year, there was a minor reshuffle to accommodate the leadership changes in MCA. Defeated MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was the major casualty.

Election rules do not entertain by-elections after March next year and all parties will be in election mode from that point.

Najib has a freer hand to make changes to the Umno line-up in Selangor, Kedah, Penang and Terengganu which are respectively under the charge of Najib and vice-presidents Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal , Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The national Umno leaders are keen to hand over the reins to state-level leaders.

Sources said Najib has met the three vice-presidents to discuss the situation in the states and the changes to be made for an effective party machinery in facing the general election.

"We heard that Datuk Seri Najib believes the state chiefs should be hands-on, with the time to micro-manage political issues in their states," said deputy Kapar chief Datuk Faizal Abdullah.

In Selangor and Penang, the respective deputy state chiefs, Datuk Noh Omar and Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, are expected to move to the top slot.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said will finally get to assume the post of Umno chief in Terengganu.

The leadership for Kedah is said to be a toss-up between deputy state chief Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Mukhriz, who is also Jerlun MP.

The state Umno chairman's post is much coveted because it is associated with the post of Mentri Besar/Chief Minister.

However, the current arrangement for the Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers is expected to remain. Najib would want his own mandate before he revamps this tier of government leadership.