Mahathir reshuffles cabinet to improve party before polls
Mahathir reshuffles cabinet to improve party before polls
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced on Thursday he had replaced three ministers as part of a cabinet reshuffle widely seen as preparing the main ruling party for general elections.
Mahathir told a news conference that two veteran politicians from the main ruling party had tendered their resignations two weeks ago.
"No reasons were given," he said, adding that the third resignation involved a minister who was transferring to the state assembly in the eastern state of Sabah after winning a seat in March local elections.
"Maybe we can say it will strengthen the administration of the government." Mahathir said.
Asked about the timing of general elections, which have to be held before the current term of parliament expires in April next year, Mahathir said: "The date has to be convenient to the ruling party. We will make our assessment based on the weather and public holidays."
Under the reshuffle, Mohamad Khalil Yaakob, chief minister of the central state of Pahang, emerges as both information minister and secretary general of the main ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
Both positions are seen as important posts before an election, especially given signs of increased support for the opposition Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS) following the sacking of deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in September last year.
Khalil, widely credited with helping to secure the coalition's victory in the recent Sabah elections, replaces UMNO veteran Mohamed Rahmat as information minister although Mohamed retains his position as secretary general of the ruling National Front coalition.
Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Sabbaruddin Chik, who previously held the post of UMNO secretary general, was replaced by Deputy Home Affairs Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.
The prime minister also said that Pandikar Amin Mulia, head of a coalition party in Sabah, had been appointed minister in the prime minister's department to replace Chong Kah Kiat who is taking up his seat in the Sabah state assembly.
A senior party official said Khalil was UMNO's number two man during the Sabah election campaign under Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"He has proven his capabilities. He is healthy, strong and experienced," he told AFP, adding that he was able to "work closely" with Mahathir and Abdullah.
"We are facing an election at any time," the UMNO official said. "Party headquarters needs someone dynamic to be in command."
Although Mahathir has so far kept everyone guessing about a poll date, some analysts say he may call an election soon to take advantage of recent signs of economic recovery and last month's jailing of Anwar for six years on corruption charges. Anwar faces a new trial on a separate charge of sodomy next month.
Anwar's sacking has deeply divided ethnic Malays, who account for more than half of Malaysia's population, and support for UMNO is believed to have declined recently in favor of the opposition Islamic party.
PAS recently formed an alliance with three other opposition parties including the Democratic Action Party, the main opposition party in the federal parliament, and a new party set up by Anwar's wife Azizah in April.
The Islamic party already rules in the northeastern state of Kelantan, the only state not controlled by the National Front coalition.
As a result of Thursday's reshuffle, Mahathir said Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Azmi Khalid would succeed Abdul Kadir as deputy home affairs minister. At the same time, state assembly member Adnan Yaacob was appointed to succeed Khalil as chief minister of Pahang.