King: Prioritise the people

 

PETALING JAYA: Istana Negara has announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after the latter’s 17 months in office.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed Ismail’s Sabri’s appointment following a special meeting of the Malay Rulers yesterday afternoon, which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

Fadil added that the swearing-in ceremony will take place today at 2.30pm at Istana Negara.

“His Majesty is expressing hope that with the appointment of this new prime minister, the political impasse can be immediately ended and all MPs can set aside their political agenda by uniting and cooperating to address the Covid-19 pandemic for the people and the country,” said Fadil.

Fadil also stressed the King had reiterated views that the “never-ending political skirmishes” must not affect the people, as the nation is battling a public health crisis and a stagnating economy.

“MPs are also reminded to display solidarity by prioritising commitment and the best services for the people,” he said.

Fadil said the King conveyed his appreciation towards the continuous support shown by the Malay Rulers in carrying out his duties and responsibilities based on the Constitution and the Rule of Law as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“The Malay Rulers also support His Majesty’s stance on forming a stable government as soon as possible following the resignation of the prime minister, by conducting thorough evaluations through statutory declarations (SDs) and verifications through physical and virtual audiences with the MPs.

“His Majesty is also urging the people to remain calm and pray together with His Majesty that this nation will always be under the protection of Allah SWT... and for the Covid-19 pandemic to be mitigated and ended immediately,” Fadil added.

Following Muhyiddin’s resignation, the King called for an audience with the heads of all major political parties.

Subsequently, all 220 Members of Parliament were told to nominate their candidates for the next Prime Minister through individual statutory declarations (SD).

“The appointment of the next prime minister through these SDs was to assist His Majesty in making a decision to appoint an MP which His Majesty believes to be supported by a majority of MPs to be the next prime minister, as provided under Article 43(2)(a) of the Constitution,” said Fadil.

Istana Negara received the signed SDs on Aug 18, out of which 114 nominated Ismail Sabri for the premiership.

“Following that, His Majesty decreed to grant audiences to the 114 MPs on Thursday to verify their confidence towards the MP whom they had nominated as prime minister,” he said.

Despite the rain, dozens of journalists were camped outside Istana Negara’s Gate 1 yesterday to film the arrivals of the Sultans who came with police escorts.

Among the Rulers who arrived first were Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, just before 2pm, followed by Kedah Ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah at 2.14pm.

The arrival of Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at 2.23pm was followed soon after by Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Sources had told The Star that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar would not attend the special meeting.

Other Sultans who were absent were the Perlis Ruler and Kelantan Sultan.

Muhyiddin announced his decision to resign as prime minister on Aug 16, saying it was in accordance with the Federal Constitution as he no longer commanded majority support of the Dewan Rakyat.

The 114 MPs supporting Ismail Sabri consist of 41 MPs from Barisan, 31 from Bersatu, 18 from PAS, 18 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, one from Sabah STAR, and one from Parti Bersatu Sabah. There were also four independent MPS in this group of 114.

It is understood that Umno’s Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah abstained from supporting Ismail Sabri as prime minister. - Star