No talent gap behind interim Cabinet picks, says PM
He said Johari, along with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan — who is currently overseeing the Economy Ministry — are both holding interim roles pending permanent appointments.
'There's been some confusion, with people questioning if it's because there's no one else available, so these roles had to be filled temporarily.
That's not true.
'They are just carrying out the responsibilities for now, until a full Cabinet appointment is decided,' ,' Anwar told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Ar Rahim.
Anwar said such interim arrangements are not unprecedented, pointing out that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) now known as the Economy Ministry was previously managed under the Prime Minister's Department.
He said the EPU was restructured following the change of government after the 15th General Election on Dec 23, 2022.
'Now, Amir Hamzah is handling some of the responsibilities, and Johari Ghani is overseeing certain functions as well. There's no need to rush the process,' he said.
Anwar added that if opposition MPs failed to understand these temporary arrangements, 'then that's unfortunate, because they are clearly serving in an acting capacity.'
Earlier today, Cabinet Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said in a statement that Anwar had informed the Cabinet during its meeting on Wednesday (July 9) that he had agreed for Johari to take on the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, effective immediately.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
9,408 students to benefit from first phase of Madani tuition project
KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu will become the first state to implement the Madani Tuition Programme, which is set to benefit 9,408 students. With an allocation of RM5.27mil and the support of 614 schoolteachers, the programme is part of the government's broader poverty eradication and educational empowerment initiative. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Terengganu was selected to pilot the programme in recognition of its students' outstanding performances in public examinations. 'I value Terengganu's excellent results. (Therefore) I would like to announce a special initiative for Terengganu as an early form of assistance for school students. 'This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with schoolteachers. This is the first programme in Malaysia,' he said during the closing ceremony of the Madani Rakyat Programme 2025 (PMR 2025) at Pasar Kedai Payang here yesterday. Also present were Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Bernama reported. Anwar said the Madani Tuition Programme complements the RM100 aid previously channelled for the purchase of books and learning materials for students and teachers. The programme will be supervised by the relevant ministers and the ministry secretary-general, with plans already in place to expand the initiative to Kelantan. In a further boost to education in the state, Anwar also announced that the government had approved the construction of a new matriculation college in Marang and land acquisition for the Kuala Terengganu Polytechnic campus. At the ceremony, 10 excellent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2024 students also received Madani Permai devices. Separately, Anwar announced that Terengganu had received RM30mil under the SejaTi Madani Programme – a unity government initiative aimed at boosting community economic activities. 'Each village is allocated funds and can decide what economic activities to pursue, based on their needs. 'For example, in Parit Buntar, Perak, villagers purchased two drones for fertiliser spraying. They now earn a net profit of RM30,000 monthly. If we empower and manage our communities well, such projects can outperform conventional development efforts,' he said. The SejaTi Madani Programme focuses on five core sectors: agriculture and food, tailoring and handicrafts, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, and green activities such as recycling. The Terengganu edition of the PMR 2025 recorded an overwhelming public response, with 82,182 visitors as of noon yesterday – far exceeding the initial three-day target of 25,000. PMR 2025 is organised by the Prime Minister's Office through the Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit, in strategic collaboration with the Works Ministry and the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister's Department.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
ECRL project hits major milestone
Mega build: Loke officiating the Genting ECRL Project Tunnel excavation works ceremony in Bentong, Pahang.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star Breakthrough of Genting Tunnel sets regional railway record BENTONG: Malaysia's major infrastructure project, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), has reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of the 16.39km Genting Tunnel – a new regional record. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Genting Tunnel is set to become the longest railway tunnel in South-East Asia upon its completion. 'It will certainly complement international trade by boosting export-oriented industries and making Malaysia more attractive to businesses,' he said at the breakthrough ceremony yesterday. 'Its last-mile connectivity between Kuantan Port and Port Klang will bring the east and west coasts closer together and ease the transfer of goods along the ECRL network.' Loke said the tunnel breakthrough symbolises not only a major engineering achievement but also the fruitful collaboration between Malaysia and China. This milestone, he added, also reflects the strong cooperation among ECRL personnel at all levels, particularly in managing excavation works across the 41 tunnels along the rail alignment. 'The ECRL is also touted as a game changer for the movement of passengers and freight in Peninsular Malaysia. It will link state capitals, key urban centres, industrial hubs, seaports, airports, and tourism zones while integrating with existing railway lines along its corridor,' he said. The Genting Tunnel has also been officially recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records for two achievements: being the longest railway tunnel and having the highest overburden. Speaking at a press conference later, Loke noted that the tunnels were designed with environmental considerations in mind, especially in traversing the Titiwangsa mountain range. 'The tunnels also reduce the need for cutting down trees,' he said. Loke also praised the strong partnership with China, stating that the project's deliverability had been clearly demonstrated. On plans to extend the ECRL to the Malaysian-Thai border, Loke said the proposal is under consideration. 'The distance from Kota Baru station to the border is about 32km. We are looking into the plan, but it is still at the study and proposal stage at the ministerial level,' he said, adding that the proposal may be tabled for Cabinet approval next year. The estimated cost of the extension is around RM2bil. The ECRL project, with a total estimated cost of RM50.27bil, spans 665km and will feature 20 stations across Peninsular Malaysia. The first phase, stretching from Kota Baru, Kelantan, to the Gombak Integrated Terminal in Selangor, is expected to be completed by December 2026 with operations slated to begin in January 2027. Phase Two, connecting Gombak to Port Klang, is scheduled for completion by December 2027 and is expected to be fully operational by January 2028.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Terengganu hosts clean energy hub
PM: Projects position nation as leader in green innovation KUALA BERANG: The newly launched Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar (HHFS) and Green Hydrogen Hub projects in Terengganu have the potential to attract regional and international investors, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the new alternative energy initiative – a clean and green collaboration between PETRONAS and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) – is aligned with both Malaysia's energy policy and international aspirations for green energy. 'Kenyir is now becoming a focal point of interest for international investors. 'This is not just a boost for Terengganu as Kenyir itself will become a major attraction. The project has also been implemented efficiently and swiftly,' he said at the launch of the ventures at the Sultan Mahmud Power Station in Kenyir yesterday. Also present were Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, TNB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Majid and PETRONAS chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh. The HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub aim to position Malaysia as a regional leader in the green hydrogen value chain, while supporting the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap, Bernama reported. Sustainable solutions: Anwar (second from right) visiting the Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar project (below) in Kenyir, Terengganu. — Bernama The Green Hydrogen Hub is a strategic collaboration between PETRONAS and TNB while the HHFS project is a joint venture between TNB's power generation subsidiary, TNB Genco Sdn Bhd and Terengganu Inc, a state-owned company. The pilot HHFS project at the Kenyir Dam has a capacity of 100kW and spans 1,085sqm with 220 solar panels. This demonstrates that Tasik Kenyir, which covers an area of 36,900ha, holds vast potential for floating solar development, with up to 10% of the lake's surface suitable for generating an estimated 2,200MW without disrupting the lake's ecology. The Prime Minister also said the project is linked to the Asean Power Grid, a major regional initiative that will begin with an undersea cable project connecting Vietnam to Kota Baru, Kelantan, before extending to Peninsular Malaysia's grid and eventually to Singapore. 'This means that from Vietnam, an undersea cable project will reach Kelantan, necessitating the construction of a new grid. The existing grid is considered insufficient in capacity. 'The new grid will start from Kelantan, then pass through Terengganu and I believe it must be connected to the capabilities and infrastructure here in Kuala Berang and Kenyir, extending through Pahang, parts of Selangor, Johor and into Singapore.' Anwar stressed that the HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub projects are crucial, and all relevant parties must work together to expedite their implementation. In addition, the Prime Minister called on PETRONAS and TNB to explore ways to provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training, including upskilling programmes, specifically for local youths in Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu. He said the relevant ministries, such as the Education Ministry, the Higher Education Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry, along with the Terengganu government, PETRONAS and TNB, should initiate specialised training programmes for local youths. 'I want to ensure youths from Kuala Berang are given training opportunities, so that the people here won't say that while a major project is located here, their children are only able to open small restaurants or work as cleaners. 'It would be better to plan the training properly so there is a dedicated facility for the youths of Kuala Berang and Terengganu to undergo specialised training. I hope this can be expedited,' Anwar said.
