PM Based Choices In Reshuffle On Experience, Team Spirit
Bernama – 15 Feb. 2006
ALOR STAR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi placed a premium on experience and the ability to work in a team in reshuffling his Cabinet Tuesday, said his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Najib said the Cabinet appointments reflected the Prime Minister's decision to build a team to carry out the tasks and responsibilities he had in mind.

The Cabinet changes included the departure of four ministers and promotion of several deputy ministers.

"The reshuffle is done to prepare for the implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan which will be launched soon," Najib said at a news conference after handing out aid to 200 farmers who suffered losses in the floods in Kedah at the head office of Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), here Tuesday.

Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Seri Sharif Omar.

Najib said the Cabinet reshuffle was timely to strengthen the administration in preparation to fulfil the expectations of the people in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

That was why the Prime Minister gave emphasis to experience in his appointments since there were many tasks ahead and the administration was becoming more complex, he said.

Those dropped from the Cabinet need not feel that their contributions to the people and government had ended as they could still be called on to share their experience and expertise in certain tasks in future, he added.

He said their contributions would always be appreciated by the leadership.

"Congratulations to those promoted. Surely the Prime Minister has confidence in their ability to rejuvenate their respective ministries," he said.

Source: BERNAMA | www.bernama.com