Zahid: Parliament dissolution preferable to Cabinet reshuffle

TANGGA BATU – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes there is no need for a Cabinet reshuffle at this time.

Instead, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said it would be better to dissolve Parliament to allow the people to decide on a fresh mandate.

“I do not see any need for a Cabinet reshuffle at this time, although there may be someone who has committed to resigning once Datuk Seri Najib arrives at his residence to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

“Rather than a Cabinet reshuffle, it would be better to dissolve Parliament and give the people a fresh mandate. A new Cabinet can then be formed,” he said after attending the Kemas Staff Gathering with Top Leadership programme here on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, was responding to questions about the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported as saying that the time was not right to consider a Cabinet reshuffle.

This followed the upcoming end of the Dewan Negara appointment of Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, whose term expires on Dec 11.

Meanwhile, on Nov 6, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced his resignation with immediate effect once former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived at his residence to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

On Nov 7, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim decreed that the implementation of the Conditional Pardon Order for Najib, which allows him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, must be respected in accordance with the principles of constitutional monarchy and the rule of law. –AWANI