KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs have unanimously named Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob as its candidate for the vacant post of prime minister.
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This was confirmed by Umno’s Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
“Umno and BN are united in agreeing to a sole candidate,” he told reporters when met at the party’s headquarters here tonight following a meeting by BN component parties.
When asked if Ismail had obtained the majority, Tajuddin said “we have crossed the (required) number of 111.”
“This is with the support of PAS and Bersatu.”
To form a simple majority, the respective political blocs need the support of 111 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. This is due to the deaths of two MPs, thus reducing the current total to 220 seats.
Azalina Othman Said also confirmed Ismail’s nomination.
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When asked, the Pengerang MP said Ismail was not only a senior leader in the party but was also the chairman of the BN backbenchers club.
“And he was also the deputy prime minister,” Azalina said of the Bera MP.
“In that sequence, he looks most agreeable to all of us. So we hope for the best.”
On July 7, Ismail was named deputy prime minister by then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. However, he along with the rest of the Cabinet tendered their resignation on Monday after Muhyiddin stepped down as prime minister.
Muhyiddin will, however, serve as caretaker prime minister until his successor is appointed.-FMT