KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein called for reason to prevail over emotions following today’s Cabinet reshuffle that saw the shock removal of senior figures from government who had been critical of its handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, including Umno Number Two Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and party vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

News website The Star Online reported the cousin to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who retained his post as defence minister, declining to comment on Muhyiddin’s expulsion from the Cabinet except to say that it was the prime minister’s prerogative.

“We have to be rational in this current political landscape.

“This is not something new, it has been done by former prime ministers,” he was quoted telling reporters after launching the 15th Defence Services Asia Exhibition here.

Hishammudin was also reported as saying he hoped Muhyiddin’s supporters would prioritise the interests of Umno and the country above individual concerns, without elaborating.

“We just have to carry on with our responsibility for the people and the nation,” he reportedly said.

Rumours spread earlier today that Muhyiddin along with other ministers critical of Putrajaya’s handling of 1MDB would be dropped as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.

Muhyiddin had during the weekend urged Najib to satisfactorily explain the 1MDB controversy, claiming that he and other ministers were unaware of the “real facts”.

This resulted in a rare public rebuke from the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, which urged Muhyiddin and other members of the administration not to pre-judge the ongoing investigations on 1MDB.

Muhyiddin was replaced by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who remained as the home minister at the same time.

Muhyiddin also lost his position as Education Minister, with the portfolio split into two: Education and Higher Education, taken by Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh respectively.