No Cabinet reshuffle, PKR polls strictly a party matter, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: There are changes to the Cabinet planned, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, said this when asked if a Cabinet reshuffle is imminent after several prominent figures lost their posts during the recent PKR division elections.

“No. This is a party election. It is being conducted properly.

“This is strictly a party matter. There is no question of it involving the state or federal government. Everything is proceeding as usual, okay?

“The way I see it, each individual (was evaluated) based on their performance, not political manoeuvring.

“Any issues or concerns can be raised during the special meeting on Wednesday,” he told reporters at the Higher Education Ministry’s Hari Raya celebration here on Monday (April 21).

He said that the government continues to operate as usual and dismissed any speculation linking the party’s internal affairs to a possible Cabinet shake-up.

Among those who were unsuccessful in the defence of their posts are Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, a PKR vice-president and Setiawangsa MP, who lost his division chief post to actor-director Datuk Afdlin Shauki.

Others include Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy, who was defeated in Bukit Bintang, and Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who lost to Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi in the Batu division.