PETALING JAYA: Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been named the country’s ninth prime minister, succeeding Muhyiddin Yassin who resigned from the post on Monday.
Ismail was Muhyiddin’s deputy, a post he was appointed to on July 7. He was also the defence minister.
His appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was announced by Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin in a statement today.
The Umno vice-president is expected to be sworn in as prime minister tomorrow at 2.30pm.
Ismail had previously served in various ministries during Barisan Nasional’s reign.
In 2008, he was appointed youth and sports minister under Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and a year later, under Najib Razak, he was made the minister for domestic trade, co-operatives and consumerism.
In 2013, he was given the agriculture and agro-based industry portfolio, before being appointed as the rural and regional development minister in 2015.
In the statement, Fadil confirmed that Ismail had the support of 114 MPs, which gave him the majority to form the government, adding that all 114 of them had confirmed their support.
“Therefore, in line with Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, His Majesty appoints Ismail Sabri Yaakob (the Bera MP) as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister.
“His Majesty believes that with the prime minister’s appointment, the government needs to continue its efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic immediately for the welfare and safety of the people.
“His Majesty hopes that … the political turmoil may end immediately and all MPs can put aside their political agendas by uniting and cooperating to manage the pandemic for the people and nation’s interests.”
The King also reminded MPs to prioritise the people and give their best service for them, adding that the nation should not be burdened by political turmoil amid the health and economic crises.
“His Majesty also calls on all Malaysians to stay calm and join His Majesty in praying that the nation continues under God’s protection.”- FMT