Malaysia’s King has announced the former Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the country’s new Prime Minister. On Friday, he confirmed his spot, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who had to step down this week after losing the parliamentary majority.
Ismail Sabri, who was earlier Muhyiddin’s deputy, now takes on the lead to harness the Southeast Asian nation’s battle with the COVID-19 infections and take cognizance about the economic slump, amidst tension to tackle organize the health crisis.
His appointment brings back the role of prime minister to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia’s ‘grand old party’, which gained votes in a 2018 general election in between the spreading graft allegation.
Ismail Sabri, 61, secured a thin line majority, compiling support of 114 of parliament’s 222 members, the palace said in a statement. “The king hopes the political crisis ends immediately and members of parliament can put aside their political agenda … the people should not be burdened by the unending political crisis at this time,” the palace added.
