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Reshuffle announced in Malaysia after shake-up

Moving up * The new deputy president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Chan Kong-choy is now head of the transport ministry. * Culture, arts and tourism Deputy Minister Ng Yen-yen is the new second deputy finance minister. * The MCA's Fu Ah-kiow takes over Ng's role at the culture, arts and tourism ministry.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced yesterday a widely expected cabinet reshuffle to adjust to a recent leadership change in the country's biggest Chinese party.

The mini reshuffle involved five leaders of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and followed the resignation of Ling Liong-sik last month as transport minister and as MCA chief after 17 years at the helm.

In a surprise move, Mahathir promoted second deputy finance minister Chan Kong-choy, the new MCA deputy president, to the post of transport minister.

Analysts and political observers said this was unexpected as the transport portfolio was traditionally held by the president of the MCA, the second largest party in the ruling National Front coalition.

New MCA chief Ong Ka-ting, 47, remained housing and local government minister.

"It is my assessment of his [Chan's] ability. He also has a lot of experience," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Chan, 48, was elected MCA deputy president to replace Lim Ah-lek who stepped down with Ling to end a power tussle and consolidate the party ahead of general elections that must be called by late next year.

The premier named deputy culture, arts and tourism minister Ng Yen-yen, who heads the MCA women's wing, as second deputy finance minister, saying this was in recognition of women's capabilities and proved the government was not gender-biased.

The MCA's Fu Ah-kiow, parliamentary secretary at the trade ministry, was made the deputy culture, arts and tourism minister.

Fu was replaced by Ho Cheong-sing, an MCA lawmaker in northern Perak state.

Deputy housing and local government minister M. Kayveas was moved to the prime minister's department as deputy minister while his predecessor, Douglas Uggah Embas, was made deputy transport minister.

Transport ministry parliamentary secretary Donald Lim, from the MCA, was promoted to deputy information minister.

Mastika Junaidah Husin, a lawmaker from Mahathir's United Malays National Organization (UMNO), was made the new parliamentary secretary for the women and family development ministry.

The 77-year-old veteran premier, who retains the post of finance minister, is himself due to retire in October after 22 years in office and will hand over the reins to his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
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