PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: The new cabinet line-up is expected to be announced next Monday or Tuesday (17 and 18 Mar) as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the new cabinet to hold its first meeting next Wednesday (19 Mar).

Abdullah said he will meet with the component party leaders Thursday (13 Mar) before deciding on his cabinet line-up.

He also added that the new cabinet will reflect the power-sharing concept of the BN, which involves all racial community.

Over the past few days, the new cabinet line-up has caused a lot of speculations. It is mainly because Abdullah said beforehand that former ministers might not be appointed as ministers again even if they win in the general elections. However, as a number of Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers lost in the general elections, Abdullah must then select the MPs won in the elections to fill these vacancies.

Even though MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has publicly declared his will of not to join the Cabinet, but the Prime Minister still has the final right to speak.

The new Cabinet is expected to be smaller because of the reduced number of Barisan MPs in this elections.