PUTRAJAYA: The cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday had nothing to do with Umno or to protect the party's president, said Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
In denying such claims, the Barisan Nasional secretary-general and Higher Education Minister said it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's prerogative to build his own team.
"It has nothing to do (with Umno). We need to understand Anwar has the absolute right to form his team.
"Surely, he (Anwar) has made the best assessment on how to go on, also based on feedback that he received from the people.
"Even in leaderships before this, there were changes from time to time to strengthen the administration. So, (this matter has) no link to politics as how certain quarters have speculated."
Zambry said this after clocking-in for his first day of work at the Higher Education Ministry here, today.
On Tuesday, Anwar announced his revamped cabinet lineup, a year after taking office.
In his reshuffle, Zambry was given the role of Higher Education Minister, taking over from Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Khaled assumed the Defence Minister role, which was vacated by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who switched portfolios to the Foreign Ministry, that was helmed by Zambry.