Report: Ismail Sabri poised to take PM post

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pictured) will most probably “win the premiership race” and “set to form the next government after gaining a parliamentary majority”, Reuters reported today.

If the former deputy prime minister’s rise to the role of prime minister is confirmed, it “would mark the return of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party to leadership, three years after its defeat in a general election…” wrote Reuters.

Reports based on Twitter by UMNO secretary-general, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, stated that MPs supporting Ismail Sabri were summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday to verify their support

Ahmad told Bernama yesterday that Ismail Sabri is the most qualified individual to be nominated as the ninth prime minister.

He explained that following the refusal of UMNO president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to be nominated as the candidate, apart from deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who did not meet the criteria, being a state assemblyman, Ismail Sabri is the most suitable.

“Hence, we go to number three (in the party hierarchy) which is Ismail Sabri, who has experience as the minister in charge of COVID-19 and as a senior minister, as well as having experience as the leader of the opposition.

“He also has experience as a deputy prime minister, and I think he is the most qualified candidate on the list,” he added.

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