KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: As many as seven of the 32 Cabinet members may not be fielded to contest in the general election.

Two of them - Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi - have publicly confirmed that they are retiring from politics but sources said about five others may also step aside.

Among the ministers speculated to be retiring are Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Rural Development Minister Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zain and Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor.

A total of 32 people were appointed ministers when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reshuffled his Cabinet in 2006.

Earlier this year, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek resigned as health minister after a sex DVD was circulated by unknown people.

This means there could be at least eight vacancies to be filled.

Speculation about the positions of Dr Rais, Azmi and Aziz arose because of their ages.

Dr Rais and Azmi are both 66 while Aziz is 70. They are the incumbent MPs for Jelebu, Padang Besar and Shah Alam respectively.

Azmi is also being speculated as a possible mentri besar of Perlis.

Aziz was admitted to hospital for two weeks because of hernia in 2006 and his health has also been cited as another reason for him not to be fielded.

However, Aziz said his health was improving and stressed, "My age is not an obstacle to continue with my work. I'm ready to serve (the people) but I'm a party man.

"I abide by all party decisions and now it is up to the party leader whether he still wants me. If he needs me, I will continue to do my best. If not, I will support the party."

Talk about Tengku Adnan not defending his Putrajaya seat arose because of the controversial Lingam video clip and the just-ended Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Asked about speculation of him being dropped, 57-year-old Tengku Adnan said, "I can't comment on that. (But) I'm already working for the election campaign. We have started the ball rolling. So let's wait and see."

Dr Lim had said in an interview yesterday that he was not the only one leaving the Cabinet.

"Even though some of them (his Cabinet colleagues) know this could be their last Cabinet meeting, they still refused to say," said Dr Lim.

Effendi, in an article in The Star yesterday, said it would be healthy for the Cabinet to be "infused with new blood, new talent".

However, the vacancy created by Dr Lim is already spoken for.

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has confirmed that he is going to the federal level.