PUTRAJAYA, Oct 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi indicated there may be a reshuffle of the cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon.
One of the reasons is to fill the post of Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living following the demise of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
“Probably there is (reshuffle). I think it will be soon,” he told the media after attending the Special Putrajaya Umno Leadership Gathering earlier today.
Asked about rumours if he will be appointed to head the Home Ministry following the reshuffle, Ahmad Zahid said he is prepared to shoulder any responsibility entrusted to him.
“I also saw such a poster, but the Prime Minister has not told me yet. I am prepared to serve any ministry, the important thing is for the Cabinet to reach a consensus.
“Even though I am holding the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, I am at the same time heading several Cabinet-level committees and task forces which involved various ministries, and I am bearing such responsibilities in the interest of the existing unity government,” he said.
In this regard, Ahmad Zahid said as Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, he hopes the Federal Territory Ministry would be created again in the latest cabinet reshuffle.
The Bagan Datuk MP was appointed Home Minister from 2013 to 2018 under then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he has decided to visit all 191 Umno divisions nationwide to cover issues related to Umno affairs, including current issues involving legislation, politics and so on.
“It is important that they (Umno members) themselves come and listen to explanations from me and the team who explain the political aspects, legal aspects and some other issues because we know that communication through a non-verbal approach is very, very important, more importantly, if there is a personal touch through oral communication by the top leaders of the organisation,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said he was committed to meeting Umno members in every division via the conservative approach, even though the tour would take a long time.
— Bernama
