Najib hints at Cabinet reshuffle

SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today hinted that Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein may not hold the Transport Ministry portfolio when the Cabinet is reshuffled.
He said Hishammuddin has put in a lot of efforts in the past few months in the wake of the MH370 tragedy on March 8.
“Datuk Seri Hishammuddin has overseen the final completion (of klia2), amid the stress and tribulations of managing the disappearance of MH370, and at the same time showing his dedication.
“I’d like to thank Datuk Seri Hishammuddin for all he has done in enabling this opening ceremony particularly as this might be his last official function as the acting transport minister.
“So I would like to thank and congratulate you for all your efforts and contributions,” Najib said in his speech at the official launch of klia2 today.
This also confirmed speculation that Najib will likely appoint an MCA leader for the transport portfolio.
In an immediate reaction, Hishammuddin said: “From the first day, I was ready to give up this post anyway because I know I was only acting.
“But it is important for me to tell the ministry first and ensure that there is a system that can continue the planned implementations even if there is any change in ministry leadership without affecting the current process.”
Giving an assurance that the Transport Ministry is on the right footing, Hishammuddin said that there are many areas in the ministry that need a full-time minister to manage.
“But at the end of the day, it is the PM’s prerogative to decide (when and who should replace him).
“It is not easy to manage the two big ministries,” he said.
Hishammuddin also said he is willing to continue the MH370 search task until a new person is appointed to take over in stages.