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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's veteran trade minister Rafidah Aziz was dropped Tuesday from a slimline post-election cabinet that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has cut from 90 to 68 positions.
"More than half of the cabinet ministers are new faces and I hope they can serve the people effectively," Abdullah told a press conference.
Rafidah, who has held the trade portfolio since 1987, was the highest-profile casualty of the reshuffle after March 8 elections which saw unprecedented losses for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
Abdullah would not comment on the departure of Rafidah -- also chief of the ruling United Malays National Organisation's influential women's wing -- who is to be replaced by outgoing agriculture minister Muhyiddin Yasin.
"I don't discuss why. I think she should make way for someone new," he said.
Abdullah has faced calls to rejuvenate his administration after the setback which saw the coalition lose its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in four decades.
The premier has dropped his portfolio of internal security, and outgoing foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar will run a newly merged home affairs and internal security ministry.
Former arts, culture and heritage minister Rais Yatim will take over at the foreign ministry.
Abdullah retained his finance portfolio, and Nor Mohamed Yakcop will continue to serve as second finance minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak also retained his defence portfolio. - AFP/ac
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