Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi consented to party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s appointment as deputy prime minister prior to its announcement yesterday, claimed Umno supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah.
According to him, an understanding was reached in a face-to-face meeting between Ismail Sabri and Ahmad Zahid yesterday.
“At the Umno supreme council meeting last night, Ismail Sabri said that before he accepted the position, he had met face-to-face with the (Umno) president and he asked if he could accept the position.
“Thankfully, the Umno president gave him his support and encouragement to accept the post,” Armand said in a video clip that was shared with Malaysiakini.
In fact, Armand said, Ismail Sabri’s appointment as deputy prime minister was also approved by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“He also consulted former prime minister and former Umno president, Najib. Thankfully, Najib expressed the same sentiment.
“It was on that basis that (Ismail Sabri’s) decision to accept the post was made late in the afternoon yesterday after obtaining the consent of the current and former party presidents,” said Armand.
The appointment of Ismail Sabri as deputy prime minister whilst maintaining his portfolio as defence minister was announced by the Prime Minister's Office yesterday evening.
The statement also announced the promotion of Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to senior minister to assist the prime minister in executing the National Recovery Plan while maintaining his current role as foreign minister.
Both appointments were presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and were effective immediately. - Mkini
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