Cabinet reshuffle rumours: 'Ask PM', says Mat Sabu

PASIR SALAK - Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu refuses to comment on the unity government cabinet reshuffle speculations.

He said the matter was under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s power.

“That you would have to ask the Prime Minister,” he told reporters briefly after launching the Rice Seed Production Permanent Field in Seberang Perak near here, today.

It was reported that Anwar did not rule out the possibility of discussing the Cabinet reshuffle during his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara, earlier today.

However, the Prime Minister said the cabinet reshuffle was not a matter that was too urgent to discuss because there was only one ministerial vacancy that needed to be filled, which was the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Ministry, previously held by the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

Previously, it was reported that a small unity government Cabinet reshuffle was expected to occur after the Pelangai state by-election on Oct 7 by observing the performance of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Mohamad who was Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president said the allocation for the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry would be added in Budget 2024 which will be tabled next month.

“The budget for the ministry had been increased, I can’t announce it yet, wait for the Finance Minister, I can’t lead it,” he said.

In Budget 2023 the ministry received an allocation of RM5.39 billion which was a 12.06 per cent increase compared to RM4.81 billion on the previous year.