KUALA LUMPUR – Umno fully backs the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister and will ensure his administration of the country runs smoothly.
The reiteration of support for the Bera MP is contained in a press statement issued after a Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn here last night.
Party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said several guidelines were discussed and agreed on by the Umno leadership, including calls to ensure cross-party cooperation to improve the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis.
“The government must satisfy the demands of the people concerning welfare, including improving the various aid packages, loan moratoriums, one-off minimum RM10,000 i-Citra withdrawals, and assistance for small and medium enterprises.
"The government should also continue the use of the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ brand and the term ‘Malaysian government’ instead of the ‘Perikatan Nasional government’, given that this administration is formed by a loose cooperation between Barisan Nasional, PN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Parti Bersatu Sabah.”
Umno called for a royal commission of inquiry into the claims made by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas concerning political intervention in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
Zahid said Umno must be a pioneer when it comes to institutional reforms in all branches of government.
“This includes ensuring a more efficient Parliament and a transparent and clean government, implementing anti-party-hopping laws, and preventing political interference in the nation’s enforcement and legal institutions.”
The Supreme Council meeting was the party’s first since its return to federal power.
It also came on the same day Ismail Sabri announced his cabinet, which largely comprises the same ministers in the previous Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led administration.
Critics have questioned the omission of a number of Umno members deemed capable, including Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, information chief Shahril Hamdan and Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. – The Vibes, August 29, 2021
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