Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to name Johari and Amir, who are both heading other ministries, did not mean there was a shortage of qualified candidates for the posts.

“There are those who question if there is no one else suitable for the posts that an acting minister needed to be named. That’s inaccurate.

“They are just performing the duties until a new minister is appointed,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers here.

He said those questioning the decision to name the acting ministers failed to understand the process in appointing ministers.

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned as the economy minister and the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, respectively, in May following their defeats in the PKR party election.

Last month, it was reported that Amir had assumed the duties of the economy minister, while earlier today, Johari was named as the acting natural resources and environmental sustainability minister.

Anwar said the two must be given the space and opportunity to carry out their additional duties without interruption.