PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed talk about an immediate cabinet reshuffle.
“There is no reshuffle. Any news on that (cabinet reshuffle) is fake news,” he said at a Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.
Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Port Dickson member of parliament Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad and other ministers.
On Monday, a blogger posted an article headlined “Azmin appointed DPM after CNY?”, claiming that there were rumours that Dr Mahathir would appoint Azmin as his deputy after the festive period.
Dr Mahathir’s dismissal of the rumours in an almost lighthearted way reflected his mood as he mingled with thousands of well-wishers who attended the open house.
He participated in the tossing of yee sang, which symbolises good luck for the new year.
In his welcoming speech, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the open house was held in the spirit of muhibbah as it was jointly organised by the chambers of commerce from the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
“This is what the Pakatan Harapan government promised — to unite Malaysians and make this a celebration for everyone.”
He said a stronger and united Malaysia was good for the country and people.
“Let us show that Malaysia can rise again and restore its status as an Asian economic tiger.”
Additional reporting by Esther Landau
