Proposing Ismail Sabri as prime minister an affront to king

KUALA LUMPUR – It is perplexing that Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob can even consider himself a candidate for prime minister, when he stood by current leader Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when the latter suspended the democratic process and was belligerent to the king.

With statutory declarations being signed to propose the Umno vice-president as the next prime minister, critics of the Perikatan Nasional government are questioning why the people are stuck with only one choice – another individual from a failed government.

PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil said the current prime minister candidate must be opposed by all parliamentarians.

“Ismail Sabri, as a son of Pahang, did not defend the constitutional monarchy institution on July 29, when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had expressed His Majesty’s unhappiness over the fact that cabinet members had disobeyed His Majesty’s decree to debate and vote on the emergency ordinance in Parliament.

“Since Article 43(3) of the federal constitution states that the cabinet must be collectively responsible, Ismail Sabri, too, was involved in the decision to disobey His Majesty’s order.

“Is this the conduct of a leader who is supposed to defend the royal institution?” he said in a party statement.

Ismail Sabri must also be held responsible for all the failed policies, standard operating procedures and actions taken during the current pandemic, he added.

“Hence, anyone who supports Ismail Sabri as prime minister is in support of the continued failures of the PN government,” he said, adding that Malaysia is in need of fresh leadership and new energy.

Prominent lawer and activist Syahredzan Johan said he fears if the deputy prime minister is appointed as head of government, current cabinet members who have failed to address the pandemic and deal with the economic impact will also return.

“If Ismail Sabri, somehow, becomes prime minister, the whole cabinet will probably return. (Datuk Seri Dr) Adham Baba, (Datuk Mohd) Radzi Md Jidin, (Datuk Seri) Rina Mohd Harun, (Datuk Seri Mohamed) Azmin Ali and all,” he tweeted.

Syahredzan is also political secretary to DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

Meanwhile, PKR’s Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik chided Ismail Sabri for shamelessly lobbying for the post.

“I am appalled witnessing Ismail Sabri’s shameless lobby to replace Muhyiddin as prime minister once the former steps down,” the former deputy tourism minister tweeted today.

“Neither him nor any of the current members of the cabinet – who stood with Muhyiddin – remotely deserve the honour of the position.”

Several Umno leaders aligned with president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have kept mum on whether the Barisan Nasional lynchpin will support Ismail Sabri.

When contacted, secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan signalled to The Vibes that talks on the matter are ongoing.

“Patience,” he said, in a brief response on WhatsApp.

Selangor BN information chief Isham Jalil indicated that the Umno leadership will make an announcement on the matter tomorrow.

“I am not at liberty to say anything on that at the moment. Wait until tomorrow.”

The Vibes has also reached out to other Umno leaders, including Zahid, for comment. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021