New DPM's integrity will help all take responsibility in spirit of loyalty

PUTRAJAYA: Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is confident the integrity of the new deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi can help him and the other Cabinet members in shouldering their responsibilities to fulfill the aspirations of the people in the spirit of loyalty.
"I believe his integrity can help me and the other cabinet members to shoulder the heavy responsibility and trust to fulfill the people's needs and aspirations and in the spirit of loyalty in a stronger network," he said.
He said this when welcoming Ahmad Zahid's first attendance at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM), here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, was appointed as the new deputy prime minister to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the cabinet reshuffle on July 28.
Ahmad Zahid, who arrived at 8.05am, later shook hands with the ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, before greeting Najib on his arrival for the assembly.
Also present for the first time at the monthly assembly after being appointed to their respective posts in the Cabinet reshuffle were Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who was appointed as a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, and Senator Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was recently appointed as a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department.
In his speech, Najib welcomed the presence of all ministers in the JPM especially those newly appointed to the cabinet.
"I also thank Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who had been the deputy prime minister previously and I hope he will continue to provide his services to the nation," he said.
He also thanked the ministers who had been dropped in the cabinet reshuffle last Tuesday namely Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Datuk Seri Hasan Malek and Datuk Ewon Ebin.
Now there are 11 ministers in the Prime Minister's Department namely:
» Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom
» Senator Datuk Seri Idris Jala
» Tan Sri Joseph Kurup
» Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun
» Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim
» Senator Paul Low Seng Kuan
» Nancy Shukri
» Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar
» Datuk Wee Ka Siong
» Datuk Mah Siew Keong
» Azalina Othman
– Bernama