Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced a minor cabinet reshuffle where six new faces were brought and two replaced - MCA's Ong Tee Keat and Wee Jack Seng.

In bringing in the new faces, Najib has apparently created two additional deputy minister posts (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Ministry and Plantation, Industries and Commodities Ministry).

However, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin again missed the boat in this minor cabinet reshuffle - Najib's first since he took office in April last year.

azlanThe reshuffle, involving 12 ministries, brought in more figures from MCA and MIC, which were hit by leadership tussles. 

In his announcement, which was released in a press statement, Najib named MCA secretary-general Kong Cho Ha as new transport minister, replacing former MCA chief Ong Tee Keat.

MCA vice-president Chor Chee Heung is promoted to housing and local government minister, replacing Kong.

PPP senior vice-president Maglin Dennis D’Cruz, who will be named a senator tomorrow, has been appointed deputy information, communications and culture minister, replacing Heng Seai Kie.

Heng, who is MCA Wanita vice-chief, will now assume the post of deputy women, family and community development minister.

Sarawak United People’s Party central working committee member Richard Riot, who is also Serian MP, has been appointed deputy foreign minister, replacing Lee Chee Leong.

Lee would now assume the post of deputy home minister, previously held by Jelaing Mersat. 

Jelaing, from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party and Saratok MP, has been appointed deputy transport minister. He filled the slot left vacant by the late Sibu MP Robert Lau Hoi Chiew. There is no change to the other existing deputy post - Abdul Rahim Bakri.

MIC deputy-president G Palanivel, a senator, has been made deputy plantation, industries and commodities minister, an additional post to the existing deputy Hamzah Zainudin.

Rohani Abdul Karim, from Parti Bumiputera Bersatu and and Batang Lupar MP, has been appointed domestic trade, cooperative and consumer affairs minister, an additional post to existing deputy Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe.

MCA central committee member Chua Tee Yong, who is Labis MP, has been appointed deputy agriculture and agro-based industries minister, replacing Rohani. Johari Baharom is the other deputy minister.

Newly-minted MCA vice-president Donald Lim, also to be named a senator tomorrow, has been appointed deputy finance minister, replacing Chor Chee Heung, who is promoted to full minister.

Another MCA vice-president Gan Ping Shou, the third senator to be, has been made deputy youth and sports minister, replacing Wee Jack Seng.

No mention of new deputy minister's posts

In his press statement, Najib did not mention the creation of two new deputy minister's posts.

When Malaysiakini contacted Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Ministry Minister Tan Lian Hoe, she said she did not receive any letter asking her to step aside to make way for the appointment of Rohani as deputy.

The new ministers and deputy ministers will be sworn in at the Palace at 3.30pm on Friday. Before that, Maglin Dennis D’Cruz, Donald Lim and Gan Ping Shou, will first be sworn in as senators.

"The underlying aim of the reshuffle is to strengthen the BN," said political analyst Khoo Kay Peng.

Khoo said Najib hopes that promoting leaders from the component parties will bolster the image of the BN, which is led by Najib's Umno.

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