KUALA LUMPUR – Bera MP Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob is not Umno’s first choice as prime minister, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The party secretary-general told the press at Menara Dato Onn today that vice-president Ismail Sabri came in third behind president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
“Zahid decided to pull out from being nominated at the political bureau meeting, and also the Supreme Council meeting yesterday. He didn’t want to be nominated.
“The second name that came up was Tok Mat, but he doesn’t fulfil the criteria as he is only an assemblyman. So, we chose Ismail Sabri.
“Ismail Sabri has the experience, and he was a senior minister and the deputy prime minister. He is the most capable candidate.”
Present at the press conference were PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and central committee member Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.
Ahmad said party leaders who attended the meeting at the Umno headquarters today were Barisan Nasional adviser Datuk Seri Najib Razak and secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, as well as Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Aside from the PAS members who joined the presser, he said, the Islamist outfit’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, too, took part in the meet.
On the future of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, the Pontian MP said the matter was not brought up during the meeting.
“Of course, the government (that will be formed) will be a new one. Before this, we had Pakatan Harapan. Then, we had PN.
“This is a ‘Malaysian government’.” – The Vibes, August 18, 2021
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