BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) partners which have in the past months grown increasingly frustrated with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's attempt to break up the ruling coalition today rallied behind the appointment of his rivals to more senior positions in the government.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today appointed Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the deputy prime minister, bypassing Zahid and Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan who are more senior than Ismail in the party hierarchy. Ismail is an Umno vice-president.
Muhyiddin also promoted Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who does not have a central position in Umno, to a senior minister.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan backed Ismail's appointment and conveyed its congratulations.
"PAS is confident that Ismail’s appointment is a highly appropriate decision considering his experience as a minister and senior minister as well as the most senior Umno leader in the PN cabinet.
"PAS is confident that he will assist the prime minister in managing the country which is still facing the Covid-19 pandemic particularly in ensuring the success of the National Recovery Plan (NRP)," he said.
Takiyuddin also congratulated Hishammuddin for his appointment as a senior minister.
PAS and Umno had in 2019 formed a pact under Muafakat Nasional but their relations have been strained in recent months.
PAS is a staunch backer of Muhyiddin's government and had even formally joined the PN coalition.
Umno, while being part of the PN-led ruling coalition, had refused to join. Instead, under Zahid's leadership, Umno plans for BN to take on PN in the next general election.
The appointments were an apparent move to isolate Zahid who was on the verge of announcing Umno's exit from the PN government.
Ismail and Hishammuddin have in the past week actively worked to block Zahid.
Meanwhile, MCA also hailed the promotion of the two Umno leaders.
MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon said both Ismail and Hishammuddin have wide experience.
"MCA is confident that both leaders can contribute and benefit the people and country. MCA will continue to closely cooperate with Ismail and Hishammuddin so that all cabinet members can fully focus on the efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, revive the economy and help the people who are facing hardship," he said.
Both MCA and MIC had previously complained that Zahid did not consult them about quitting the PN government.
At the time of writing, the Umno president had yet to make an official statement about Ismail and Hisham's appointments.
Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan hailed the appointments and echoed the prime minister's hope that it will improve unity in the PN-led government.
"The people want to see this unity as it is core to ensuring the people's welfare, economic revival and victory in the Covid-19 battle," he said.
Sabah-based PBS, which is part of the PN-led federal government n but not formally a member of the coalition, also backed the Umno appointments.
"The deputy prime minister's appointment is apt as it fulfils the country's needs.
"He is the right leader for the job as he had performed well in the past year.
"He had also done well in his duties as a senior minister, particularly in controlling and managing the Covid-19 situation in the country," said PBS president Maximus Ongkili.
He also congratulated Hishammuddin, who will take over from Ismail as the senior minister in charge of managing the Covid-19 pandemic. He will also retain his portfolio as the foreign minister. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.