The ministries were finance, home, education, defence, rural development, foreign affairs, public works, transport, economy, and multimedia and science.

Mahathir, who was sworn in yesterday as the country’s seventh prime minister, said he did not want a “huge Cabinet”.

“At the moment, we have decided to being a small Cabinet in,” he added.

He also said these ministries were of equal status.

“But certain ministries will play a more prominent role,” he told reporters after chairing the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential meeting at the Al Bukhary Foundation here.

Also present were Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Mahathir said PH would have another meeting tomorrow to identify the ministers, who would comprise representatives from the four component parties.

He added that Putrajaya would maintain a “good relationship with all” on the international stage and would not favour any particular country.

“We are going to be neutral with all countries,” he said.