Malaysian PM's Cabinet choices may lead to major upheaval in Umno

Malaysian PM's Cabinet choices may lead to major upheaval in Umno
Malaysia Today - 19 Mar 2008

THE line-up of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's new Cabinet indicates that the embattled Premier appears determined to deal with dissatisfaction over the state of the country's troubled judiciary and the slow implementation of development projects.

But, while he included several of his loyalists, the new line-up is not likely to endear him to his ruling Umno, which is still reeling from its worst electoral setback in decades.

Yesterday's announcement of the Cabinet line-up offered clues to Datuk Seri Abdullah's political gameplan in the coming months.

Many analysts see it as a high-risk gamble that may buy him time but could also precipitate major upheaval in Umno and raise the country's already high political and economic risk profile.

The exclusion of three key Umno warlords - former international trade minister Rafidah Aziz, former tourism minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and former science and technology minister Jamaluddin Jarjis - has already triggered unease among the party's rank and file about Datuk Seri Abdullah's position as Umno president.

His choice of Johor strongman Muhyiddin Yasin, the country's former agriculture minister, for the powerful international trade portfolio has also raised speculation that Malaysia's leadership succession is now an open issue.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, long considered the heir apparent to Datuk Seri Abdullah, was reappointed Defence Minister. But he lost a key ally in the Cabinet with the exclusion of Datuk Jamaluddin.

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