Zahid wary of losing ministerial post in Cabinet reshuffle, says Puad

Zahid Hamidi's fear of losing his portfolio in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (KKDW) prompted his proposal for a cabinet reshuffle, according to Puad Zarkashi. The president of Umno sees a cabinet reshuffle as a more viable option given that the 16th general election (PRU16) is still far away, as opposed to dissolving Parliament as proposed by Zahid.

The fear of losing a KKDW portfolio is not the only concern for Zahid; he also worries that portfolios of other BN ministers could change as well, he tweeted on Facebook. Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, argued that dissolving Parliament is a better approach to allow the public to give a fresh mandate before the Ministerial Cabinet is formed.

This statement followed the vacancy of the position of Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook and the expiration of the term for Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan, who became a senator in December. Puad also criticized BN for appearing divided from Pakatan Harapan (PH) when they presented a joint manifesto with PAS during the PRN Melaka.

He noted that PH will be seen as untrustworthy if they fail to take action against BN to uphold the principle of shared responsibility in a united government. "The unity government has already been tarnished, both in name and image, if no prosecution is taken," he said. Puad referenced former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's actions in 1987 when several ministers and deputy ministers supporting Team B led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah were removed from the cabinet.

He said the hesitant political approach must end and should be addressed through action, not just statements. "We wait to see, if portfolios of BN ministers change, are they brave enough to take them?" he asked.