Seven Ministers, Eight Deputy Ministers Sworn In

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Seven ministers, including two new appointees, and eight new deputy ministers took their oath of office, allegiance and secrecy today before His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at Istana Negara here.

The swearing-in took place at the Singgahsana Kecil of the palace at 10 am.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was present at the ceremony.

Yesterday, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced the appointment of new ministers and deputy ministers, as well as the reshuffling of several portfolios, following several vacancies within the MADANI Government Cabinet and the need for adjustments.

The ministers and deputy ministers also signed the instrument of appointment, witnessed by Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

The ministers are:

1. Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, previously Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has been appointed as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister.
2. Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, previously Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister, appointed as Minister of Plantation and Commodities.
3. Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, previously Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, appointed as Human Resource Minister.
4. Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, previously Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, appointed as Minister of Economy.
5. Dr Zulkifli Hasan, previously Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), appointed as its minister.
6. Datuk Mustapha Sakmud appointed as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs).
7. Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari appointed as Youth and Sports Minister.

The newly appointed deputy ministers are:

1. Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Sim Tze Tzin. 
2. Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah.
3. Deputy Minister of National Unity R. Yuneswaran.
4. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Mordi Bimol.
5. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
6. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man.
7. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui.
8. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli.

The ceremony concluded with a photo session before they left Istana Negara at 10.45 am.

-- BERNAMA