Malaysia’s new Cabinet sworn in after appointment as ministers
Malaysia’s new Cabinet ministers have been sworn in at the National Palace on Saturday, following their appointment in the Cabinet under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
They took their oath of office before the Malaysian King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah.
The Cabinet has 28 members including Datuk Seri Anwar and two Deputy Prime Ministers, Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader Fadillah Yusof.
PM Anwar is also the Finance Minister, Zahid is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, and Datuk Seri Fadillah has extra responsibilities as the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.
On Saturday morning, four new senators were sworn in at Parliament following their appointment into the Cabinet.
They took their oath of office before Parliament president Rais Yatim: Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who will lead the Home Ministry and Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz who was appointed as International Trade and Industry Minister.
Also taking the oath of office as senators were BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir who will helm the Foreign Ministry and Chief Judge of the Syariah Court Mohd Na’im Mokhtar who was appointed Religious Affairs Minister.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin, Datuk Seri Zambry and Datuk Mohd Na’im are new members of the Senate, or Upper House of Parliament, while Zafrul’s position is a re-appointment following the consent of the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah.
In his speech at the ceremony, Tan Sri Rais called on all senators to re-examine the list of collective tasks for their respective Key Performance Indicators beginning 2023.
“Let’s reinvigorate the proposed parliamentary institutional reform to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to us,” said Rais, who congratulated the senators on their appointment.
He also congratulated Datuk Seri Anwar on his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24.
“Hopefully Malaysia will continue to move forward under Anwar’s administration,” he said.
Dr Rais also conveyed his appreciation to former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.