PETALING JAYA: In a twist of fate, it appears that Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s ambition to become the country’s ninth prime minister hinges on the decision of his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin’s resignation as prime minister on Monday created the opportunity for Ismail to rise to power but he will not be able to do it without Muhyiddin’s green light, say sources.
Speaking to FMT, one source in the know said despite Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and PAS’ backing, it was not certain yet that Ismail had the numbers as Bersatu’s support is not set in stone.
Muhyiddin will only announce the Perikatan Nasional coalition’s choice for prime minister later this evening.
“Within Bersatu, there is some jostling between Hamzah Zainudin and Azmin Ali over who becomes deputy prime minister. But ultimately, the MPs will follow Muhyiddin’s lead,” said the source.
“So, Ismail faces quite a dilemma because he knows that a new government cannot look like a Perikatan Nasional 2.0 administration yet he is reliant on Bersatu’s support.”
The source also said Ismail must get the support of all Bersatu MPs as there are Umno MPs who may not follow the party’s stand in backing him as PM.
The Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King had also said the statutory declarations (SDs) from 220 MPs must be submitted by 4pm today to decide on the new prime minister.
As these SDs are submitted directly to the King, there is no telling if the MPs will act according to their party’s stand.
Meanwhile, a Bersatu source said not everyone in the party is comfortable with the idea of backing Ismail as prime minister but they would abide by Muhyiddin’s decision. -FMT
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