Malaysia expands Cabinet, appoints youngest-ever minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Another 13 lawmakers have been appointed to Malaysia’s cabinet, including a 25-year-old touted as the country’s youngest minister, and a science minister who will focus on green technology and climate change.

The cabinet expansion comes nearly two months after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad led a four-party alliance to oust the National Front coalition that has been in power since independence from Britain in 1957 on the back of pledges to fight corruption and institute reforms.

It is the second stint for Mahathir, who was premier for 22 years until 2003, and is now the world’s oldest elected leader.

Thirteen new ministers and 28 deputy ministers were sworn-in Monday in a ceremony at the palace, with the formation of a full cabinet expected to help stabilize Mahathir’s government. /ee