Ismail Sabri made deputy PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been appointed deputy prime minister, announced the Prime Minister’s Office today.

In a statement, it said he will still hold the defence portfolio.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, meanwhile, has been accorded “senior minister” status.

“The prime minister has appointed Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as deputy prime minister, while still holding on to his defence portfolio,” said PMO.

“This appointment will help the prime minister administer the country and ensure the needs of the people are met amid the nation’s health and economic crises.”

Hishammuddin will take over Ismail Sabri’s duties relating to the security cluster.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also agreed to the Sembrong MP assisting him in implementing the National Recovery Plan.

Both appointments have been presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and are effective immediately.

It was rumoured last month that Hishammuddin, despite not holding any top Umno posts, would be made deputy prime minister.

Ismail Sabri, the party’s vice-president, recently had a meeting with president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi purportedly to discuss the ultimatum issued by the latter to Muhyiddin: convene Parliament in 14 days, failing which, Umno would pull out of Perikatan Nasional.

Despite a series of Supreme Council meetings this week, it appears that Zahid’s plan has not gotten much traction.

It was reported that more than 20 of the party’s 38 MPs are reluctant to leave the ruling coalition. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021