KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 10 -- Three Cabinet posts are now vacant, with another expected to open soon as a Senate term nears its end, fuelling renewed speculation of a year-end reshuffle.

The ministries affected are Economy; Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability; Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives; and Investment, Trade and Industry.

Datuk Ewon Benedick quit as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister yesterday, citing disagreement with the Attorney-General's Chambers over the Kota Kinabalu High Court's October 17 ruling on Sabah's entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue collected in the state.

His departure followed the earlier resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Datuk Seri Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad fro...