The former health minister assumed the post following a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last Tuesday, Bernama reported.

Zaliha said she would focus on ensuring the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan continue to progress and prosper.

“The prime minister has always given attention to the problem of hawkers and petty traders when he repeatedly said that urban development cannot marginalise hawkers and petty traders. This includes the provision of comfortable infrastructure and facilities for them,” she was quoted as saying.

She attended a briefing by officials from the Federal Territories department and its agencies in Putrajaya today after reporting for her first day of work as Federal Territories minister.

Zaliha said she would also focus on issues regarding the development of Kampung Baru, the 50th anniversary of Kuala Lumpur becoming a Federal Territory next year, and the preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, among other things.

In terms of economic development, she said, the focus would be on developing Labuan into an economic and tourism hub.