UMNO’S Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been appointed as the opposition Leader, replacing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is presently on leave from his official duties.

The announcement was made by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who is carrying out the duties of party president in Zahid’s stead.

Mohamad said Ismail’s appointment was based on his seniority in the party.

“By virtue of hierarchy in the party, Ismail Sabri is the opposition leader and we have agreed on this,” Mohamad told a press conference after an Umno Supreme Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Ismail Sabri’s position as BN whip, meanwhile, will be taken over by another vice-president, Mahdzir Khalid.

Zahid became opposition leader after he was elected as Umno president in party polls following the general election last May.

In December, Zahid went on leave over failure to stem an exodus of party lawmaker, and handed the duties of the president to Mohamad.

Zahid is also facing more than a dozen corruption charges. – March 7, 2019.