Affirming The Cabinet To Ramping, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Calls There No Ministerial Prize

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Twitter/@anwaribrahim)

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the statement that his cabinet would be sleek, saying he would stop appointing Cabinet ministers as a form of appreciation on Sunday.

"I want them to support based on my policies and commitments to good governance, my commitment to the anti-corruption movement and to restore the economy... That's true," he said.

"Of course, we can consider one or two cases where it is absolutely necessary, but, it should not be seen as an award to political masters for them to support you," he stressed.

Regarding when the composition of the Cabinet will be announced, Anwar said he would announce it in the next few days, because he was discussing with coalition members, including the four main parties in Pakatan Harapan, namely PKR, DAP, Amanah and the United Progressive Kinabalu Organization.

"I had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (Chairman of Parti Sarawak Association) yesterday," he said.

"Then I have to talk to representatives of the National Barisan, they also have a work committee to provide some recommendations," he explained.

As previously reported, on his first day in office last Friday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced his cabinet would be slimmer with a lower salary, compared to the previous administration.

Not saying he would take a salary like a campaign promise, PM Anwar Ibrahim said his top priority was overcoming rising costs of life.

"For now, I think the priority must be given to the cost of living and the increase in the price of goods that burden the people," he said.