The New Cabinet: Zahid New DPM

Muhyiddin Yassin has been dropped as deputy prime minister in the latest cabinet reshuffle unveiled by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak this afternoon.

Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been named as the new number two and would also retain the home ministry portfolio.

Speculation had been rife that Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, would be axed due to his critical remarks regarding the 1MDB imbroglio.

Also axed is another vocal critic of 1MDB Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The Umno vice-president from Sabah was the rural and regional development minister.

A new appointment to the cabinet is Salleh Said Keruak, who is the current Sabah state assembly speaker.

The staunch Najib supporter, who often defends the prime minister on his blog, is the new communication and multimedia minister.

He replaces Ahmad Shabery Cheek who would now oversee the agriculture and agro-based industry portfolio.

Najib was flanked by Zahid when the new cabinet announcement was made at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.

[More to follow]

Source: Malaysiakini