Move ‘open secret’ due to current vacancies and expiration of senatorship terms involving several ministers, says Anthony Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: A Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place in early December after the Sabah state election, due to the expiry of senatorship terms involving several ministers, said Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said the move has been widely discussed within political circles.
“Definitely, there is anticipation of a Cabinet reshuffle happening in early December. That’s actually an open secret because there are Cabinet ministers whose senatorship terms will end by then,” he told theSun yesterday.
He said among those affected is Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, whose senatorship cannot be renewed after two terms.
“So, there will definitely be another vacancy. Even now, there are two vacancies in the Cabinet.
“From what I understand, the prime minister intends to wait until December to carry out a reshuffle.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dismissed speculation that today’s special Cabinet meeting would discuss a possible reshuffle.
He said the meeting would focus on whether the government should appeal the High Court ruling granting Sabah 40% of federal revenue collected in the state.
“I’ve called for the meeting tomorrow. We will first listen to the Attorney-General’s statement on whether to proceed with an appeal,” he said at the Malaysia Digital roadshow in Tawau.
Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairman and Upko president, announced on Saturday night his intention to resign as minister.
He reiterated that the entitlement should be implemented through negotiations rather than an appeal.
In response, Anwar said Ewon was acting “too early” by signalling his intention to resign before the Cabinet had made a decision on whether to appeal the ruling.
“The judgment only came three days ago. We can see there are strengths and weaknesses, including what I mentioned earlier.
“So, read it first. Listen to the call of the nation, then we make a decision. I think it is too early for him to decide,” he said, adding that he understood Ewon’s position, given the pressure surrounding the issue, but stressed that the decision has yet to be finalised.
In a latest development, Upko has quit Pakatan Harapan (PH), saying the coalition no longer shares its vision of safeguarding Sabah’s constitutional rights and autonomy. Its secretary-general Datuk Nelson Angang said after four years in PH and growing calls from Sabahans for local unity, it was time to step away.
“The withdrawal takes effect immediately. Both Upko MPs –Ewon and Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau – will continue to heed the King’s decree to preserve federal stability until the current term ends,” he said in a statement on Facebook yesterday.
