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"I hope they can serve the people more effectively and bring a fresh approach to the country's administration," said Abdullah. (Reuters)
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KUALA LUMPUR — After suffering a humiliating setback in the general election, prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi injected new blood in the government he unveiled on Tuesday, March 18, dumping veteran politicians and appointing fresh faces.
"More than half of the cabinet ministers are new faces," Abdullah told a press a press conference, reported the Bernama news agency.
"I hope they can serve the people more effectively and bring a fresh approach to the country's administration."
Veteran trade minister Rafidah Aziz, who had held the post since 1987, was the biggest casualty of the reshuffle.
Premier Abdullah would not comment on the departure of Rafidah, reputedly the world's longest-serving trade minister with 20 years on the job.
"I don't discuss why. I think she should make way for someone new."
Abdullah has been under pressure to rejuvenates his cabinet after his ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time in four.
Barisan Nasional now has 140 lawmakers in the 222-seat parliament, against 199 in the outgoing 219-seat legislature.
The opposition alliance, including the Islamists PAS party, commanded 80 seats from just 19 previously, also winning control of five of the country's thirteen states.
Abdullah cut down the size of the cabinet, which had a whopping 32 ministers, 39 deputy ministers and 20 parliamentary secretaries, to 68 positions.
"This means that the ministers and the deputy ministers will have to be more active in parliament."
Abdullah relinquished his portfolio of internal security and outgoing foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar will run a newly merged home affairs and internal security ministry.
Former arts, culture and heritage minister Rais Yatim will take over at the foreign ministry.
Abdullah again braved increasing calls for him to step down.
"I am not going to shirk my responsibilities."
New Faces
The new line-up comprises some younger politicians than the previous cabinet, which was known as the "mummified cabinet" because it included several ministers with more than 20 years of service.
The reshuffle also saw some government critics given influential roles, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Zaid Ibrahim, who has been a leading critic on social and human rights issues, will be appointed to the upper house and given the important role of de facto minister in charge of law, with the task of reforming the judiciary.
Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was dropped as chairman of the coalition backbenchers' club for voting against the government, has been given the sensitive domestic trade and consumer affairs portfolio.
From the private sector, leading banker Amirsham Aziz has been appointed a minister in the prime minister's department, and will head the government's Economic Planning Unit.
The reshuffle, particularly the decision to bring in dissenting voices, won applaud from political observers.
"It shows a refreshing change of face, it shows that the PM at least would like to give the impression that he is changing some of the old guard," said Tricia Yeoh from the Center for Public Policy Studies.
"Rafidah is the epitome of the old guard," she said, pointing to graft allegations that have surrounded the veteran politician.
However, Yeoh said that the reshuffle may not defuse the pressure on Abdullah, who faces a resurgent opposition and a looming battle for his political life at ruling party elections later this year.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said a day earlier he had held talks with a number of ruling coalition lawmakers interested in defecting.
"People have come and approached me," said Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago.
"If you want to surrender at a price, then you have chosen the wrong party," he told reporters, adding that they would be welcomed "if they accept our agenda".
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