KUALA LUMPUR: The new unity government Cabinet will commence duties today by attending an inaugural special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Apart from meeting to set new rules, thetwo Deputy Prime Ministers and several ministers are scheduled to clock in at their respective ministries in a symbolic act to start their official duties.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is DPMandalsoRuralandRegionalDevelopment Minister, is expected to clock in at 8am.
He is scheduled to attend a welcoming ceremony as a minister after the special meeting. Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the other DPM who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, is expected to clock in at his ministry at 8. 30am and at the Prime Minister’s Office at noon.
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As for the rest of the Cabinet members,Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, when contacted by Bernama, said she will clock in at 8.30am, followed by a briefing session at her ministry before heading to the special meeting.
Also clocking in at 8.30am as new ministers on their first day of work are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub; Science and Technology Minister Chang Lih Kang; and Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Religious Affairs Minister, Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, said he will mark the symbolic moment when he clocks in at 9am as well as recite the Yasin at the ministry before attending the special Cabinet meeting.
Digital Communications Minister Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil is expected to clock in and hold a handing over of duty session at 11am, followed by a press conference after the ministry’s briefing session at 12.30pm.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu will attend a meeting with senior ministry officials and will clock in at 1.30pm.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is scheduled to attend the welcoming ceremony and begin his duties as minister at 2.30pm.
When contacted by Bernama, several ministers said they would begin work officially after the special Cabinet meeting.
They include Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is expected to clock in at 3pm at his ministry.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as well as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick also said they will begin work officially after their respective ministerial meetings following the special meeting.