KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has opted to not appoint a deputy prime minister and instead had decided to appoint four senior ministers, namely the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Minister of Defence, Minister of Works and Minister of Education.

“The appointment of these senior ministers will allow the resolution of issues that may arise between the different ministries in a more effective manner. I want to form a Cabinet that delivers,” Muhyiddin said.

The four ministers will assist the Prime Minister, which includes chairing Cabinet meetings when the premier is not around.

“To ensure that the new Cabinet has integrity, all members have gone through a screening by the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” Muhyiddin added.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has been appointed as the International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as Works Minister and Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin as Education Minister.

Notably, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz has been appointed as Finance Minister. The premier said Tengku Zafrul will be appointed as a senator.

Meanwhile, Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department comprise:

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is the Minister of Transport, while Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been appointed as Federal Territories Minister.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has been appointed as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Khairy Jamaluddin has been appointed as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.

Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba has been appointed as Health Minister.

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukry has been appointed as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister.

The Prime Minister said the ministers will be taking their oaths at the palace tomorrow (March 10).

Muhyiddin, who was sworn in as the eighth Prime Minister on March 1, had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara this morning, to present his list of Cabinet members for the King’s consent.