PUTRAJAYA - A leaked list of Malaysia's full Cabinet line-up shows widely expected names, with few surprises. The ministers and deputy ministers in Pakatan Harapan's (PH) government are to be sworn in next Monday (July 2).
Well-known MPs in the coalition's leadership will be appointed to crucial ministries, according to the document which was leaked to The Straits Times by sources within the alliance.
Former minister Saifuddin Abdullah will take on the foreign affairs portfolio; Mr Baru Bian from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will head the works ministry; Parti Warisan Sabah's Darell Leiking will be international trade minister; while PKR's Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will helm the domestic trade ministry.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is keeping to his word of 28 ministers in his Cabinet, together with 24 deputy ministers. Since the country's general election on May 9, only 14 ministers have been appointed.
A new Ministry of Primary Industry will be created, headed by Ms Teresa Kok from the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Given Tun Mahathir's emphasis on developing Malaysia's production and manufacturing capabilities - to reduce reliance on imports and increase exports of parts - Ms Kok may be put to the task of dealing with innovating the country's main industries.
Another new ministry is the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development, to be led by first-time MP from Tun Mahathir's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), Mr Redzuan Yusof.
The Federal Territories Minister portfolio will be given to Parti Amanah Negara's Khalid Samad.
Some of the coalition's MPs had pushed for this portfolio to be scrapped, to prevent the unilateral awarding of projects as the previous administration had allegedly done.
Besides these key portfolios, Dr Mahathir's new Cabinet will comprise young MPs from the coalition, a stark contrast to the previous administration led by former PM Najib Razak.
The youngest minister on the list is Mr Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, 25. He heads PPBM's youth wing and is a first-term MP. He will be Minister of Youth and Sports.
Other young ministers and deputy ministers on the list include DAP's Yeo Bee Yin, 35, who will take on the energy, technology, science, weather and environment ministry.
PPBM's Maszlee Malik, 43, was previously announced as education minister.
Deputy ministers include Ms Hannah Yeoh, 39, who will assist Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; Ms Teo Nie Ching, 37, deputy education minister; Mr Sim Tze Tzin, 42, deputy agriculture minister; Mr Steven Sim, 36, deputy youth and sports minister; and Mr Ong Kian Ming, 42, deputy international trade and industry minister.
PKR holds the most number of portfolios at eight ministries, PPBM and DAP with six each, Amanah with five and Parti Warisan Sabah with three.
