PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday there is no urgency to carry out a Cabinet reshuffle at this time, as the government remains functional despite the resignations of two ministers.

“There is no urgency for a reshuffle now. Two ministers have resigned, (and) we’re giving them time to reflect on what they want to do.

“Now they are on leave. I already approved their leave. I don’t think we should preempt (anything),” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar said the Cabinet continues to operate as usual and that temporary arrangements will be made to ensure continuity in governance.

On May 28, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced they would resign, effective June 17 and July 4, respectively.

“In the next Cabinet meeting, I will ask (other) ministers to cover (the portfolios of the Economy Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry),” he said.

At the same time, the prime minister said he has instructed the secretaries-general of both ministries to continue carrying out their responsibilities.

“All secretary-generals have been asked to continue (their duties), because we are in the midst of serious negotiations… Asean, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), China and the United States, including over (US President) Donald Trump’s tariff proposals,” he added.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi were defeated in the Keadilan elections held last month.

Rafizi lost the Keadilan deputy president post to Nurul Izzah Anwar, while Nik Nazmi lost the contest for vice-president.

After their resignations, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement that Anwar had received letters from both ministers requesting leave and to step down from their Cabinet positions.

The PMO said Anwar had approved their leave applications, and that any further decisions regarding their resignations would be announced in due course.