KOTA KINABALU, July 28 — Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak today declared his readiness to take on the “vast and challenging” role as federal communications and multimedia minister, after a Cabinet shakeup that saw the removal of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister earlier this afternoon.

Salleh said he has already resigned from his post as Sabah State Assembly Speaker with immediate effect as he prepares to shift his office to Putrajaya.

“As a politician, we have to always be ready to take on new roles of service as needed by the leadership,” he said at a news conference at his residence here.

“I am a team player and with his advice and guidance, I hope to carry out his mandate to my best ability,” Salleh added, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The former chief minister, who has staunchly defended Najib over the 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) financial debacle, was one of seven new ministers appointed in today’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Salleh takes over the portfolio from Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is now agriculture and agro-based industries minister.

Muhyiddin was dropped as deputy prime minister and education minister ostensibly for publicly questioning the prime minister’s over the 1MDB fiasco.

Other ministers who were culled were Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, MIC President Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Hasan Malek and Upko’s Datuk Ewon Ebin.

When asked to comment on allegations that the reshuffle was to silence dissenters, Salleh stressed that Najib has the prerogative to decide who will sit in his Cabinet.

“He is open to criticism. But any problems should be solved through the available channels and platforms. The differences shouldn’t be cried out in public. It is against concept of collective responsibility,” said Salleh.

Salleh, who is Usukan state assemblyman, was Sabah’s chief minister from 1994 to 1996, and was the Sabah state assembly speaker since 2011.

He has served as state finance minister, local government and housing and deputy chief minister.

Salleh has had a long political history as the son of Tun Mohamad Said Keruak, who served as chief minister as well as the Yang di-Pertua of Sabah.