Deputy Minister candidates will be finalized in the near future

 Deputy Minister candidates will be finalized in the near future. Photo: Malaysian PM Office

NASIONAL-- The candidates for the position of Deputy Minister will be finalized in the near future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

The matter was informed by the Prime Minister through sharing on his Facebook page today.

Anwar also informed that the weekly cabinet meeting this morning proceeded with a harmonious and productive atmosphere.

Also read: GE15: The state has the right to dissolve the state assembly at any time - Ismail Sabri

"I insist that the people's issues, especially the cost of living problem, should be focused on and resolved as soon as possible," he said in the note, reported Bernama.

Last Dec 3, two Deputy Prime Ministers and 25 Cabinet ministers took the oath of office in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the Istana Negara here.

The two Deputy Prime Ministers are Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities.

In another post, Anwar said he was open to better suggestions in helping poor rice farmers across the country and the government's focus at the moment was to use power to defend the interests of the people, especially poor rice farmers. 

"If there is another party that wants to oppose the government's efforts in helping poor rice farmers, they are welcome to propose an alternative. I am open to receiving better suggestions," said Anwar. 

At a press conference last Monday, Anwar said his government will examine the issue of the rice import monopoly controlled by corporate figure Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary as well as examine the profits of him who bought the holding of Bernas owned by Tan Sri Tan Boon Seng for RM800 million and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (RM400 million).

 Anwar also asked that the rice import monopoly issue controlled by Syed Mokhtar not be politicized because the effort was intended to help poor farmers.