Jordan Times
Sunday, July 3, 2005
PM to reshuffle Gov't today
By Rakan Saaideh and Faisal Malkawi
AMMAN — Eight new ministers are to take the oath of office today in a reshuffle of Prime Minister Adnan Badran's two-month-old Cabinet, sources said on Saturday.
The reshuffle is expected to bring in Marwan Muasher, currently Royal Court minister, as deputy premier and minister of government performance, replacing Salah Bashir.
Muasher held the same post in the former Cabinet of Faisal Fayez.
It was unclear if Muasher, who heads the Steering Committee for the National Agenda of reform, would also serve as government spokesperson. His main duty, sources said, is to boost government performance and help speed up reform.
The sources said Adel Qudah is to replace former finance minister Bassem Awadallah, who resigned last month. Qudah has headed the Privatisation Commission since 1996.
They added that Amman Governor Abdul Karim Malahmeh was tipped to become minister of parliamentary affairs, which was held by Hisham Tal, who is to retain his post as deputy prime minister and minister of political development.
Rwaida Maaitah is to be responsible for the Ministry of Social Affairs, replacing Abdullah Oweidat, who might be in charge of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Also, Munther Sharaa, Amin Mahmoud and Muzahim Muhaisin are to replace Raed Abu Soud, Asma Khader and Yousef Shreiqi as ministers of water and irrigation, culture and agriculture, respectively, according to the sources.
Mohammad Njadat was tipped to become minister of state for prime ministry affairs.
Badran is seeking a parliamentary vote of confidence when lawmakers meet at an extraordinary session, expected on July 14.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali said he did not discuss the reshuffle with Badran during a meeting yesterday.
Majali said the meeting focused on government programmes and the extraordinary session, during which 30 draft laws, including one on an independent anti-corruption commission, will be discussed.
His Majesty King Abdullah last week directed the government to set up the commission to combat corruption and stamp out "wasta" as another measure to speed up reform.