IPOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says his new cabinet line-up will be announced this evening.
He said the complete list of the line-up had been presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah this morning to expedite the appointments.
"Our choices are limited because as I have announced earlier, we do not want too many ministers or envoys of ministerial status in order to reduce our expenditure.
"I appeal to them (the cabinet line-up) to remain in service so that we can focus on the economy," said the Tambun member of parliament in his speech at a "Kenduri Rakyat" event next to the Muhammad Al-Fateh Mosque, Taman Jati here.
Anwar also said the cabinet members would be called to attend a special meeting on Monday on the implementation of several new regulations.
Anwar said the 15th General Election (GE15) has ended and it is now time for the government to work, including giving him the opportunity to perform his duties as a prime minister.
"It is my turn now. Last month, it was somebody else's, so as last year or three or four years ago. So, let's pray for this man (Anwar) to complete his full term," he said.
The prime minister said the government need to revive the economy including by providing more quality education, addressing the cost-of-living issue, and preparing better health facilities and infrastructure.
"I'm grateful to Allah because we have been able to restore the confidence of local and foreign investors, and strengthen the ringgit.
"When ringgit is strong, the cost of import will be lesser and the cost of goods, such as chicken and fertilisers can be reduced," he said.
Anwar, who is PKR president, won the Tambun parliamentary seat with a 3,736-vote majority in the four-cornered fight in the GE15 and was sworn in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24. -- Bernama