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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has not sought any names to fill vacant ministerial posts ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle expected in the near term, according to UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Zahid said he has not received any formal request from the prime minister regarding nominations for the vacancies.
“The prime minister has not asked yet. When the time comes, I will inform the media,” he said briefly when asked whether UMNO had submitted any proposed names.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the 33rd General Assembly of the Indian Progressive Front of Malaysia in Hulu Langat on Sunday. Also present were Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and IPF president Datuk T Loganathan.
Anwar had earlier indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle would take place soon, though no official date has been announced.
It is understood that the government is not planning a major overhaul, with changes expected to be limited to filling vacancies in several ministries, including the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
Separately, Zahid said Barisan Nasional is open to negotiations with its Sabah government partners over who should contest the Lamag state seat and the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency, both of which were vacated following the death of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He said discussions were a practical option as BN is part of the Sabah state government.
“(The negotiations will involve) not only GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah), but also other parties contesting in Lamag,” Zahid told reporters after the IPF general assembly, as quoted by the New Straits Times.
He said the same approach would apply to the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, which was also previously represented by Bung Moktar.
“The people are already tired, and a lot of time was spent during the previous state election. If negotiations with all parties can be carried out, that would be a better approach, especially since the remaining term for the current Parliament is at most 24 months,” he said.
“Therefore, if negotiations can resolve any considerations about fielding candidates, then negotiations would certainly be better and should be given priority,” he added, noting that BN has yet to finalise its candidates for both seats.
Speculation has already begun within UMNO, with Bung Moktar’s son and a close associate emerging as early favourites. Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar, the Kinabatangan UMNO Youth chief, is being tipped to contest the Lamag state seat, which his father held for two terms.
Datuk Jafry Ariffin, a close friend of Bung Moktar and the newly appointed Sabah UMNO chief, is meanwhile seen as a likely contender for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.
Bung Moktar died on December 5 after suffering complications related to lung and kidney illness. He had only recently defended his Lamag seat in the November 29 state election.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for both by-elections following its meeting on December 16. - December 14, 2025