KUALA LUMPUR, 29 March 2009: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who failed to retain her seat on the Umno supreme council, is leaving it to incoming prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to decide on her position in the new cabinet.
“It depends on the good offices of the incoming prime minister to make the decision. I leave it to him. I have no problem accepting his decision,” she told reporters here today.
Azalina had earlier received an honorary doctorate from Australia’s University of Southern Queensland in recognition of her “outstanding service towards the development of youths and her exemplary dedication in serving the people of Malaysia”.
She said that for now, she would continue to discharge her duties as tourism minister.
“I am still the head of the Pengerang Umno division and the MP (Member of Parliament) for Pengerang (in Johor) and will carry on discharging my responsibilities,” she said.
Yesterday, at the conclusion of the 59th Umno general assembly, Najib succeeded Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Umno president. Najib is due to take over as the prime minister soon.
Azalina said the new prime minister had his own prerogative in deciding on the cabinet line-up.
On 27 March, Datuk Shahrir Samad, who also failed to retain his seat in the supreme council, said he would tender his resignation as the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister on 1 April. — Bernama
