'IIUM gang' dominates ministers and deputy ministers portfolios in unity govt

SHAH ALAM - The Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday witnessed former students or alumni of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) 'dominating' the administration of the unity government.

The renowned university graduates now leading ministries were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

Meanwhile, others who also graduated from the university were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

Through this latest reshuffle, Fadhlina, who is also Nibong Tebal MP and Na'im, were among the IIUM alumni who continued to hold the same portfolios as before.

Zambry previously led the Foreign Ministry while Armizan was previously the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions).

Based on checks done by Sinar through various online sources, on average, the ministers and deputy ministers who graduated from IIUM studied law.

Meanwhile, a minister and two deputy ministers were removed from the list of the new Madani Government Cabinet yesterday.

They were V. Sivakumar, who previously held the portfolio of Human Resources Minister, Ramkarpal Singh who was deputy minister in the prime minister's department (law and institutional reform) and Datuk Siti Aminah Aching who previously held the plantation and commodities deputy minister portfolio since Anwar led the government.

M. Kulasegaran replaced Ramkarpal while Datuk Chan Foong Hin who was previously Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister took over Siti Aminah's position.

Anwar, through a special press conference broadcasted on various local television channels yesterday, announced 31 ministers in his new Cabinet line up compared to 28 previously.

Rumours about the Cabinet reshuffle began circulating following the passing of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub who previously led the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.