KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — Former minister Gobind Singh Deo today said he had declined to be part of the Cabinet again and will focus on his current role as Damansara MP.

Responding to questions from many on why he was not included in the Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, DAP deputy chairman Gobind clarified that Anwar "did ask me to be part of his Cabinet”.

"However, after considering the matter, I informed him that I was unable to do so and that I would focus on my role as an MP and assist the government in all ways that I can moving ahead.

"I wish to thank him for asking me to be part of his Cabinet. I again express my full confidence in his leadership and believe that he will be able to successfully take Malaysia to greater heights,” Gobind said in a brief statement today.

Gobind was previously the communications and multimedia minister in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government formed in 2018 after the 14th general election (GE14).

Following the 15th general elections (GE15), no single party won a simple majority, resulting in the formation of a unity government led by Anwar.

The Cabinet line-up features 28 ministers, including four from DAP, namely secretary-general Anthony Loke as transport minister, deputy secretary-general Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu as human resources minister, vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming as local government development minister, and assistant national publicity secretary Hannah Yeoh as youth and sports minister.