Kuala lumpur: Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has been appointed to assume the duties and functions of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, effective immediately. This appointment follows a decision conveyed during a Cabinet meeting by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Secretary to the Government and Cabinet Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced the decision in a statement today. The decision comes in the wake of the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who stepped down as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, effective July 4.

Nik Nazmi, who announced his resignation on May 28, cited having done his best to implement key reforms since he took on the role in December 2022, following the restructuring of the ministry. His notable achievements include amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and improvements in the transparency of Environmental Impact Assessments reporting.

Nik Nazmi also mentioned his unsuccessful bid to retain the vice-president post in the recent PKR election as a factor influencing his decision to resign.