Johari, who has been tasked with temporarily overseeing the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry, said appointing acting ministers is also necessary to address pressing issues under the ministries’ purview.

“When there’s a vacancy, the prime minister appoints someone to take on the role temporarily,” he told reporters after officiating the Kuantan Umno division delegates meeting today.

“With Parliament about to sit, there will be questions that require answers. For example, the economy ministry needs to finalise the 13th Malaysia Plan, so someone has to be appointed to get the job done quickly.

“That’s why an acting role is important to resolve critical matters within the next month or two.”

Yesterday, chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Cabinet had agreed that Johari will carry out the roles and functions of the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister effective immediately.

This comes after PKR’s Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down as the minister in May.

Last month, the Cabinet agreed for finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan to take on the duties and functions of the economy minister following Rafizi Ramli’s resignation.

Amir was also tasked with overhauling the 13MP, which will be tabled in Parliament on July 31.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi quit their Cabinet positions after failing to defend their posts of deputy president and vice-president, respectively, at PKR’s party elections in May.