KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced today that 13 Cabinet members will be sworn in on May 21, pending approval from Istana Negara.
He said he has appointed five people to the Cabinet and will appoint eight more, two from each of the four component parties that make up his Pakatan Harapan coalition administration.
The 92-year-old said he will take charge of the Education Ministry portfolio.
This comes even as PH had in its manifesto pledged that the prime minister “will not simultaneously hold other ministerial posts, especially the post of minister of finance”.
Dr Mahathir did not address this issue during the press conference.
PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will handle the Women’s Affairs and Welfare Ministry portfolio.
“The swearing-in will take place on Monday if we get permission from the palace,” Dr Mahathir told the media here.
He said the appointment of Cabinet ministers will not necessarily reflect the representation of PH parties in Parliament.
“We do not take into account the strength of the party,” Dr Mahathir said.
On Saturday, Dr Mahathir announced that DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng will take charge of the Finance Ministry portfolio, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin the Home Ministry portfolio and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu the Defence Ministry.
