KUCHING: There will be no reshuffling of the State Cabinet following Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s defeat in the contest for the vice president position of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Bumiputera Wing during the party’s 16th Triennal General Meeting (TGM).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg gave this assurance when met by reporters after delivering his winding-up speech at the meeting held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday.
Abang Johari, who is also the PBB president, added that it is his prerogative to decide who should be in the Cabinet.
“No. There is no reshuffling. Nothing to do with reshuffling. It will go on as it is,” he said when asked to comment on Abdul Karim who failed to defend his vice presidential post in the Bumiputera Wing.
He further said the candidates involved in the party’s contest, both winners and losers, in one team, would continue the struggle of the party.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as the Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, had earlier expressed his willingness to step down if Abang Johari needed to conduct a Cabinet reshuffle following his defeat.
Also losing in the six-way contest for the four vice president positions in the Bumiputera Wing was Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Abdul Karim secured 669 votes, while Abdul Rahman received 546 votes.
