KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said today that she only heard about her appointment as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office on radio.
“I’m in my constituency. I just heard it over the radio,” Azalina, who is also Umno supreme council member, told The Star Online.
“I would, however, like to thank the Prime Minister for trusting me with the portfolio,” the Pengerang MP added.
Azalina was previously tourism minister from 2008 to 2009, and before that, had led the Youth and Sports Ministry from 2004 to 2008 under the Abdullah administration.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced earlier today a Cabinet reshuffle, sacking his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been openly critical of the government’s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed as the new deputy prime minister, while retaining his home ministry post.
Four other ministers were dropped: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who is also Umno vice-president; Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, who is also MIC president; Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek; and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin.
