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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

THE TRUTH ABOUT: Malaysia pm anwar says cabinet line up to be announced on friday report - The Untold Story

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a news conference announcing his cabinet at Putrajaya, Malaysia December 2, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday that he would also serve as the country's finance minister, retaking a cabinet role he first held 30 years ago.

He named Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof - two coalition partners - as co-deputy prime ministers.

Anwar was sworn in as premier by Malaysia's king last week, after an election that resulted in a hung parliament. He then formed a coalition government with the help of other political blocs.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a news conference announcing his cabinet at Putrajaya, Malaysia December 2, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

"This cabinet is a cabinet of a unity government," Anwar told a news conference. The ministers will be sworn in on Saturday, he said.

Anwar is looking to address rising costs and a slowing economy, and to ensure the stability of his coalition government. He had earlier indicated he would have a smaller cabinet than previous administrations.

Investors have cheered his appointment, hoping that Anwar can bring stability after a period of political uncertainty that saw three prime ministers in as many years.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a news conference announcing his cabinet at Putrajaya, Malaysia December 2, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Anwar was appointed as finance minister in 1991 by the then prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. He was later fired after the two disagreed over how to respond to a financial crisis across Asia.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff, A. Ananthalakshmi, Ebrahim Harris; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Ed Davies and Hugh Lawson)

FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signing a document as he clocks in to the Prime Minister office on his first day holding the premier position at Putrajaya, Malaysia November 25, 2022. Malaysian Department of Information/Wazari Wazir/Handout via REUTERS
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