Najib Announces 28-member Cabinet

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced a 28-member cabinet in 25 ministries which saw eight ministers dropped and seven new faces appointed. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who won the Umno deputy presidency in last month's party elections, is appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

Najib, who took his oath of office as the new prime minister on April 3, also retained the finance portfolio which he has held since Sept 19 last year following the portfolio swap between him and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at that time.

Najib's cabinet is slightly smaller than his predecessor's 32 ministers and 27 ministries.

Najib said that the new members of the administration were highly spirited and ready to serve.

"I am confident that all of them share the same commitment to spur the nation towards excellence.

"This is our line-up and our team which reflects Malaysia's plural society," he said when announcing the cabinet list at the Prime Minister's Department, which was carried live on national television.

The new cabinet also a reflection of the slogan "One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now" adopted by Najib's administration.

The eight dropped are Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (Home), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Tourism), Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib (Rural and Regional Development), Senator Datuk Amirsham A Aziz (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Ong Ka Chuan (Housing and Local Government), Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed (Works), Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique (Federal Territories) and Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs) who had resigned.

The new faces includes Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon who is appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Unity and Performance Management.

Malaysian Armed Forces' Religious Corp Director Maj-Gen Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom is also among the new faces, appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Islamic Religious Affairs.

Other new faces are Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah who was appointed Second Finance Minister, Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Women, Family and Community Development), Datuk Anifah Aman (Foreign) and Lembah Pantai Umno division chief Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin (Federal Territories).

MCA vice-president Datuk Kong Cho Ha who was previously the Deputy Finance Minister was promoted to a full ministership in charge of Housing and Local Government.

Of the seven new faces, four were made senators to pave the way for their cabinet appointments, namely Dr Koh, Jamil Khir, Shahrizat and Raja Nong Chik, all of whom were sworn in as members of the Dewan Negara this afternoon.

Seven ministers retained their respective portfolios namely Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (Transport), Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (Higher Education), Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas (Natural Resources and Environment), Datuk Liow Tiong Lai (Health) and Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (Human Resources).

The new cabinet line-up also saw changes in the portfolio of 14 ministers.

Heading the list is Muhyiddin, who has moved to the Education Ministry from the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

Others are Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Finance to Prime Minister's Department), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (Prime Minister's Department to Plantation Industries and Commodities), Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (Education to Home Ministry), Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (Foreign Ministry to Information, Communications, Arts and Culture), and Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui (Plantation Industries and Commodities to Energy, Green Technology and Water).

Also moving to new portfolios are Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage to Rural and Regional Development), Datuk Mustapa Mohamed (Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to International Trade and Industry), Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (Women, Family and Community Development to Tourism), Datuk Noh Omar (Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development to Agriculture and Agro-based Industry) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Prime Minister's Department to Defence), Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor (Energy, Water and Communications to Works Ministry), Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Information to Youth and Sports) and Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Youth and Sports to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs).

The new cabinet also saw the restructuring of three ministries namely Information; Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage; and Energy, Water and Communications.

The three have now been merged into two ministries namely the Energy, Green Technology and Water; and Information, Communications, Arts and Culture.

The prime minister also announced the appointment of 40 deputy ministers including two who were made senators.

They are MCA Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who was appointed Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister, and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin who was appointed Finance Deputy Minister.

They were sworn in as senators this afternoon.

The previous administration has 37 deputy ministers.

Of the 40 deputy ministers, nine are new faces namely Jerlun Member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, who was appointed International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (Health), Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (Education), Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin (Finance), Senator Heng Seai Kie (Information, Communications, Arts and Culture), Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Women, Family and Community Development), Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Foreign), Ahmad Maslan (Prime Minister's Department) and Datuk Razali Ibrahim (Youth and Sports).

The old faces are Datuk Liew Vui Keong (Prime Minister's Department), Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk S. K. Devamany (Prime Minister's Department), Senator T. Murugiah (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Chor Chee Heung (Finance), Datuk Wee Ka Siong (Education), Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Transport), Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (Transport), Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin (Plantation Industries and Commodities).

Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop (Home), Jelaing Mersat (Home), Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (Information, Communications, Arts and Culture), Noriah Kasnon (Energy, Green Technology and Water), Datuk Hassan Malek (Rural and Regional Development), Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (Rural and Regional Development), Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung (Higher Education).

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (Higher Education), Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (International Trade and Industry), Fadillah Yusof (Science, Technology and Innovation), Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (Natural Resources and Environment), Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib (Tourism), Datuk Johari Baharum (Agriculture and Agro-based Industry), Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Agriculture and Agro-based Industry), Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Defence), Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (Works).

Wee Jeck Seng (Youth and Sports), Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan (Human Resources), Datuk Tan Lian Hoe (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs), Datuk Lajim Ukin (Housing and Local Government), Senator A. Kohilan Pillay (Foreign) and Datuk M. Saravanan (Federal Territories).

All the ministers and deputy ministers will take their oaths of office at the Istana Negara at 9.30am tomorrow.

Earlier Najib had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Terengganu here to obtain his consent on the new cabinet line-up.

-- BERNAMA

NAJIB'S CABINET LINE-UP

PUTRAJAYA, April 9 (Bernama) -- The full list of Cabinet ministers announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today:

PRIME MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER:

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT:

1. Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Unity and Performance Management)

2. Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Legal and Parliamentary Affairs)

3. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Economic Planning Unit)

4. Mej-Jen (B) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom (Islamic Religious Affairs)

DEPUTY MINISTER:

1. Datuk Liew Vui Keong

2. Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim

3. Datuk S. K. Devamany

4. Ahmad Maslan

5. T. Murugiah

FINANCE MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

SECOND FINANCE MINISTER:

Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Chor Chee Heung

2. Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin

EDUCATION MINISTER:

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong

2. Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi

TRANSPORT MINISTER:

Datuk Ong Tee Keat

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri

2. Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew

PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES MINISTER:

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Hamzah Zainudin

HOME MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

2. Jelaing anak Mersat

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS, ARTS AND CULTURE MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum

2. Senator Heng Seai Kie

ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER MINISTER:

Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui

DEPUTY:

Noriah Kasnon

RURAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Hassan Malek

2. Datuk Joseph Entulu anak Belaun

HIGHER EDUCATION MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung

2. Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER:

Datuk Mustapa Mohamed

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir

2. Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MINISTER:

Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili

DEPUTY:

Fadillah Yusof

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER:

Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas

DEPUTY:

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

TOURISM MINISTER:

Datuk Ng Yen Yen

DEPUTY:

Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY MINISTER :

Datuk Noh Omar

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Johari Baharum

2. Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim

DEFENCE MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

DEPUTY:

Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

WORKS MINISTER:

Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor

DEPUTY:

Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

HEALTH MINISTER:

Datuk Liow Tiong Lai

Deputy:

Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin

YOUTH AND SPORTS MINISTER:

Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek

DEPUTY:

1. Datuk Razali Ibrahim

2. Wee Jeck Seng

HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTRY:

Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam

DEPUTY:

Datuk Maznah Mazlan

DOMESTIC TRADE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS MINISTER:

Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob

DEPUTY:

Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER:

Datuk Kong Cho Ha

DEPUTY:

Datuk Lajim Ukin

WOMEN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MINISTER:

Datuk Seri Sharizat Jalil

DEPUTY:

Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

FOREIGN MINISTER:

Datuk Anifah Aman

DEPUTY:

1. A.Kohilan Pillay

2. Datuk Lee Chee Leong

FEDERAL TERRITORIES MINISTER:

Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin

DEPUTY:

Datuk M. Saravanan

-- BERNAMA

Najib Set To Steer Nation To Greater Heights

By Salbiah Said

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- The going may be tough for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who takes over Malaysia's top job, but despite the challenges, the path is all set for the son of Malaysia's second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, to navigate the nation to greater heights.

Najib assumes the position as the country's Prime Minister at a highly challenging time when the economy is heading for recession, with exports and manufacturing both badly hurt by the slowdown in the global economy.

The present economic difficulties need a steady pair of hands in Najib to pull the nation through turbulent times.

With a strong background in economy and backed by a strong team, Najib can be counted upon to steer Malaysia through the present global economic crisis and achieving stronger growth in the process, say analysts, economists and corporate figures.

Najib, who is Finance Minister, has promised to use the current global economic downturn to boost the country up the economic value chain and to liberalise the services sector, reduce dependence on commodities and oil exports as well as low-end electronics.

Born on July 23, 1953 in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Najib was educated at St John's Institution in Kuala Lumpur and Malvern Boy's College in Worcestershire, England, before earning a degree in Industrial Economics from Nottingham University.

Najib became Deputy Prime Minister on Jan 6, 2004 as he actually ascended to that position 47 years after his father's appointment to the same post.

Today, he was sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister, in a carefully planned power transition that has been one year in the making. He takes over from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who steps down after five and a half years in office.

Abdullah, 69, chose Najib as his deputy three months after assuming the post of prime minister following the retirement of his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in October 2003. Dr Mahathir served as the country's fourth prime minister for 22 years from 1981.

Najib was formally elected as president of Umno on March 26 at the political party's general assembly to pave the way for him to become prime minister. By convention, the head of Umno has always served as the country's premier since 1957.

In his last policy speech as party president, Abdullah, who has held the post since October 2004, called on Umno members to give their solid support to Najib and help him take Malaysia to greater heights.

In hailing the transition of power, the Chief Executive Officer of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, said: "We look forward to the new leadership under Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and seek his guidance, wisdom and direction in taking Malaysia through the transition and through one of the most difficult economic climates."

He said MSC Malaysia, which was founded by Dr Mahathir, continued to enjoy strong support under the leadership of Abdullah as he pushed Malaysia into the era of the knowledge or K-economy.

Najib, said Badlisham, has also been a strong driving force in driving the MSC Malaysia through the announcement of the High Speed Broad Band (HSBB) programme, with the objective of increasing the broadband penetration throughout Malaysia.

"We believe that ICT has a significant role to play in many areas, including wealth creation and human capital development. Of immediate interest is for MSC Malaysia to drive the job creation, training opportunities, development of creative and outsourcing services industries as mentioned in the recent mini- budget which was tabled by Datuk Seri Najib," he said.

As the driver of MSC, Badlisham said MDeC would continue to support the national initiative to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy through ICT.

In quoting Najib, he said: "HSBB will be a key national infrastructure initiative which will allow Malaysia to enhance its economic competitiveness in the region, help attract FDI (foreign direct investment) to the country as well as accelerate the nation's ICT and high-tech aspirations and agenda through an enhanced knowledge capital workforce."

Leveraging on the National Broadband Initiative, Najib had also created the Integrated Online Content Taskforce (ICON), chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government, with a joint Secretariat of MDeC and the Malaysia Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), he said.

ICON was set up to accelerate the supply of local content, thus increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs and more job creation, propelling Malaysia into a K-economy.

"Furthermore, in line with the HSBB efforts, Datuk Seri Najib also has been instrumental in pushing foreign investment for large ICT companies to set up base in MSC Malaysia, providing thousands of high-value jobs for Malaysians in the field of ICT," he said.

The Group Managing Director of BIMB Holdings Bhd, Johan Abdullah, said for a start, the recent RM60 billion stimulus package must be diligently monitored and to implement an effective, open and consistent communication channel to the public on the milestones to be achieved.

"Najib must hear out at all levels in the economic sector (users, suppliers, financiers, etc) and must come out with a "creative solution" to position Malaysia as not only a competitive but high-value economy.

Johan said it was not a question of whether or not Najib could achieve his economic goals.

"But more importantly, it is the ability to drive key stakeholders at all levels to move together in achieving the economic value chain. Hence, specific skills sets and competencies with a passion for creative thinking must always be given a priority.

"We need to condition the mind of the people that we all need to do it together now for our economic survival for the future," said Johan.

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the Malaysian economy is projected to register a growth rate of minus one per cent to 1 per cent this year and the government and the central bank had implemented measures, such as fiscal spending packages and interest rate cuts, to spur the economy on.

"These measures are projected to take time to work through the economy and should bear fruit in the second half," said Dr Zeti when unveiling the 2008 BNM annual report recently.

Economist Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the rakyat looked forward to the new premier to rally the Malaysian public to bring about positive and constructive changes that would lead the nation to greater heights.

Navaratnam, who is also Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, said Najib was almost brought up to lead by his father, gaining wide experience in the government right to the Cabinet level as deputy prime minister.

He became the deputy prime minister on Jan 6, 2004.

"With the many portfolios he has held over the years, including in education, Najib received great grooming from his late father (before that)," he said.

"Najib is well qualified to lead," said Navaratnam, but added that the new prime minister may have detractors who could be dampeners to his efforts in confidence and nation-building after the testy or fractious period after the March 8, 2008 general election.

Navaratnam, who expects changes to take place under Najib's leadership, said: "Reform would have to be the order of the day in all aspects of the Malaysian way of life.

"As the PM (Abdullah) says the new cabinet has to change before it is changed. The BN government will also have to change before the BN is changed."

Sazean Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said the nation was looking forward to this transition, especially with Najib's background as the son of the late Tun Abdul Razak, who together with the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, laid the foundations for Malaysia's prosperity.

"Unfortunately, the struggle and the vision of the founding fathers have gone astray. As a result, Malaysians of all races are very angry and are prepared for change."

However, he said the new leadership somewhat offered the government a final chance to save the nation especially with the Opposition not being able to put their act together even after one year since March 8.

"It is now left to Najib to save his own father's great legacy for the country and rakyat. If the country is united and our Cabinet Ministers are focused on their jobs and remain clean, we can overcome our problems easily.

"One of the reasons why the rakyat are unhappy is because of the (perceived) widespread corruption, abuse of power and red tape," added Abdul Kadir, a former Cabinet Minister.

-- BERNAMA