KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not rule out the possibility of discussing the proposed cabinet reshuffle in his meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara today.
The premier, however, said that the cabinet reshuffle is not an urgent matter.
This is because there is only one vacancy that needs to be filled, which is the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister post, previously held by Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
"I have a weekly meeting with the King, on that (cabinet reshuffle) maybe. (But) it is not urgent because only one post is vacant," he told reporters after attending the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) 60th Anniversary Celebration today.
Speculation of a potential cabinet reshuffle of Anwar's administration surfaced over a week ago.
It had stemmed from the need to appoint a Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister after the death of Salahuddin on July 23.
Meanwhile, in another development, Anwar admitted that there was a concern regarding the increase in the price of goods, which could affect people's spending.
He said the Finance Ministry is ready to provide additional assistance to balance the effect of the increase in the price of goods to the people.
"I have asked (Datuk) Armizan Mohd Ali (Acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister) and (Domestic Trade and Cost of Living deputy minister) Fuziah (Salleh) to look into the matter, along with the National Cost of Living Action Council chaired by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"We do have a problem (in the price of goods) and I have to admit this.
"Several countries are facing great social unrest due to the restriction of rice and the increase in export taxes; onions for example.
"All these have an economic impact and we are trying to deal with it," he added.