PM Ismail Sabri May Announce Cabinet Reshuffle Next Week

Malaysia Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle next week, Malay Mail reports citing sources, in a bid to ensure the survival of his administration until the end of the parliamentary term.

• Sources from UMNO and Bersatu told Malay Mail that the move was inspired by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin's decision to leave Bersatu and join Party Bangsa Malaysia.
• While PBM backs Ismail Sabri's government and Zuraida pledged continued support for the Premier, it is expected that she will lose her ministerial portfolio. She will discuss her resignation with the PM once she is back from a conference in Turkey.
• According to Malay Mail sources, Bersatu will be compensated with the post of a Deputy Prime Minister, in order to stabilise the situation within the ruling coalition. It has been suggested that Bersatu Secretary General Hamzah could be offered the job.
• Zuraida switched parties at a time when Malaysian lawmakers are working on anti-party hopping legislation, which is one of the conditions of the government's memorandum of understanding with the opposition.