KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced today a Cabinet reshuffle with fresh appointments for ethnic Chinese ministers.

In line with expectations, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai will be made transport minister, replacing Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who has held the post temporarily since the May 5 federal polls last year.

MCA recently reversed its decision to opt out of all government posts following its poor performance in the general election last year, saying that its inclusion in the Cabinet is necessary for it to serve the Chinese community better.

Najib said that he had no choice but to expand the size of the Cabinet due to the “unexpected situation” following MCA’s about-turn on ministerial appointments.

“We want to make sure the size of the Cabinet will not be a problem in making decisions. We hope that with more people, it can lead to a more meaningful discussion and we hope we can get a wider range of views,” he said.

Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong was appointed minister in the Prime Minister’s department, a move seen as his reward for defeating DAP at the recently concluded Teluk Intan by-election.

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is MCA deputy president, was also appointed as minister in the Prime Minister’s department.

Najib said he will decide later what portfolios Mah and Wee will handle, as their inclusion raises the tally of ministers in his office to nine.

Three other ethnic Chinese, all from MCA, were appointed deputy ministers — Datuk Chua Tee Yong as deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Lee Chee Leong as International Trade and Industry deputy minister and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister.

Asked if there he may reshuffle Cabinet again, the prime minister was non-committal.

“It’s always open, isn’t it?... we will review (the performance of ministers) if necessary, when the time comes,” he said.