China News Service, Kuala Lumpur, August 20 (Reporter Chen Yue) The Supreme Head of State of Malaysia, Abdullah, announced on the afternoon of the 20th that in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Deputy Chairman of the Malay National Unity Organization (UMNO) was appointed Ismail Sabu. Li is the ninth prime minister of Malaysia.
Ismail will be sworn in on the afternoon of the 21st.
Abdullah announced the appointment after the meeting of rulers of Malaysia that day.
In a statement issued by the National Palace, he also demanded that MPs from all parties in Malaysia immediately end political disputes and unite against the epidemic after the appointment of the new prime minister.
After the resignation of Malaysia’s eighth prime minister, Muhyiddin, on the 16th, Abdullah summoned the leaders of various Malaysian political parties and received statements from all members of the lower house of parliament on the choice of prime minister they support.
According to a statement from the National Palace on the 20th, Ismail has the support of 114 of the 220 members of the House of Commons.
According to the Malaysian Constitution, the Supreme Head of State of Malaysia must appoint members who are supported by a majority of members of the House of Commons as prime minister.
Ismail, 61, became the Minister of Defense after the establishment of the Muhyiddin government in March last year and became one of the four senior ministers who assisted the Prime Minister in all aspects of affairs.
After the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia in Malaysia, as the person in charge of the horse epidemic control measures, he often hosted press conferences to explain the epidemic control measures and law enforcement, and became one of the cabinet members with the highest rate of appearance in the media.
In July of this year, Ismail was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister, who had been vacant since the establishment of the Muhyiddin government, and continued to serve as Minister of Defense until the resignation of Muhyiddin’s cabinet.
Ismail's appointment as prime minister is also a result of Umno, who has been in power in Malaysia for a long time but stepped down after the 2018 general election, has regained the post of prime minister.
Ismail served as minister of various government ministries during Umno’s administration.
After the defeat of Umno's general election in 2018, Ismail has been elected as Umno's vice chairman.
Malaysian local media claimed that Ismail is the first prime minister in Malaysian history who is not a party leader.
The MPs who supported Ismail this time still came from the "basic plate" of the original Muhyiddin government, including the Indigenous Solidarity Party led by Muhyiddin also publicly announced its support for Ismail as prime minister.
Some local comments believe that Ismail's appointment as prime minister may maintain the stability of the previous government's anti-epidemic and recovery policies.
However, there is also public concern that the advantage of Ismail's government in the House of Commons is still not obvious. Once a situation similar to that of some Umno MPs in the Muhyiddin government's "fallen Mu" occurs, Ismail's ruling position will face challenges. .
After being sworn in as prime minister, how to coordinate multiple political parties in the ruling camp, integrate a cabinet list and pass a possible vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament will be the first challenge for Ismail. At present, the new crown epidemic in Malaysia is still serious, and the newly confirmed cases in a single day on the 20th is the third consecutive day that has hit a new high since the epidemic. Effectively responding to the challenge of the new crown epidemic, alleviating people's hardship and promoting economic recovery during the epidemic are also the top priorities of the Ismail government. (End)