KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member, Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has publicly labelled Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli as ineffective and called for his reassignment to the Tourism Ministry should there be a cabinet reshuffle.
Puad said Rafizi had failed to offer "extraordinary formulas" to assist with the people's economic situation.
"Rafizi should be among the ministers whose portfolios need to be changed if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reshuffles the cabinet.
"Rafizi still failed to offer an extraordinary formula for the people's economy. (His) only formula (is for the people to) cook and eat at home, which are normal (measures).
"It will be good if Rafizi is given the opportunity to offer a "tourism formula". Who knows it could be effective and maybe Rafizi will be the best Tourism Minister," he said, cynically.
Speculation over a potential cabinet reshuffle of Anwar's administration surfaced over a week ago, stemming from the need to appoint a Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister after the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.
Anwar had said that the cabinet reshuffle was not an urgent matter given that only one vacancy needs to be filled, which is the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister post.
The post was previously held by Salahuddin who passed away following an aneurysm.