Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today defended his new cabinet against criticism that he failed to cut out dead wood, saying he was confident of his ministers' abilities.

"All of them can perform. What is important is that we plan and decide how we will carry it out," Abdullah told reporters.

The premier on Tuesday unveiled a new cabinet after a modest reshuffle that came almost two years after his landslide election win, and amid criticism for the pace of government reforms.

The premier made seven changes to his cabinet line-up, dropping three ministers and handing different portfolios to three others. He also replaced his information minister who had resigned citing personal reasons.

Abdullah retained the services of veteran trade minister Rafidah Aziz despite her involvement in a controversy last year over car imports, saying he needed her services.

"Rafidah's experience and her skills are still needed. This year we want to increase foreign direct investments into the country. And on the international scene, we are in the midst of having FTAs with other countries," he said.

Does not reflect well

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim joined in the criticism of Abdullah for not carrying out a major reshuffle, and keeping ministers who had been allegedly tainted with corruption.

"It does not reflect well to the people and foreign investors," he told reporters.

Anwar said he doubted that Abdullah's much-vaunted drive against corruption would make significant headway and said that entrenched graft would hurt Malaysia's ability to compete.

"I believe the anti-corruption drive will not take off and the economy will remain stagnant compared to our neighbours," he said.

Anwar, who was sacked in 1998 and spent six years in jail on corruption and sodomy charges, said that Abdullah could have made sweeping changes to his cabinet on the strength of his handsome mandate in 2004 elections.

"He chooses to have his hands tied. There are better candidates in the ruling party. Corruption is getting serious and endemic in this country," he said.

But Abdullah said he would monitor his ministers' performance and that the criticisms made against his new cabinet did not rile him.

"It is okay. It does not matter. We choose people and with that we hope they can perform," he said.

Failed to stick to pledge

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang continued his broad attack on Abdullah today for failing to stick to his election pledge on reform and integrity.

"Public shock, disappointment and even dismay at the new cabinet is no less acute and intense 48 hours after the announcement of the reshuffle by Abdullah," he said in a statement.

Lim, who is the chairman of the opposition Democratic Action Party, described the appoinment of Zainuddin Maidin as information minister as "a storm signal that hard times await the mass media, press freedom in Malaysia".

After his National Front coalition swept into power in March 2004, Abdullah named an enlarged cabinet consisting of 34 ministers, up from 29 previously.

The opposition has criticised the size of the cabinet and has called for a leaner body to carry out Abdullah's election pledges to fight corruption and improve government transparency.