ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob must be the prime minister for all Malaysians, Lim Guan Eng said today, in congratulating the Umno vice-president who will be sworn in as the country’s 9th prime minister tomorrow.

The DAP secretary-general said Ismail now must serve the people without being unfairly prejudiced.

“Ismail should remember that he is the prime minister for all Malaysians.

“He must serve and protect the interest of everyone regardless of race, religion or background,” the Bagan MP said in a statement today.

DAP is the first Pakatan Harapan party to congratulate Ismail on his appointment.

Earlier today, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong announced that Ismail will be sworn in as the 9th prime minister at Istana Negara tomorrow.

The announcement came in a statement issued by Istana Negara just after the Agong had chaired a two-hour special meeting with the Malay Rulers on the matter.

Istana Negara comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said a total of 114 members of Parliament had nominated Bera MP Ismail, giving him the majority to form a new government.

Lim said one of Ismail’s main tasks would be to correct the mistakes in handling the Covid-19 crisis and also to save the country’s economy.

“Ismail’s main task will be to unite all Malaysians to correct the failures and mistakes in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic that hit a record high of 23,564 cases today (August 20) and has caused a total of 13,713 deaths and 1,513,025 infections.

“He must also help Malaysians to save jobs and businesses by pulling the economy out of its current recession,” the former finance minister said.

Ismail Sabri, 61, is the third prime minister to assume office since 2018.
 
His appointment comes in the wake of Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation last Monday after 15 Umno MPs withdrew their support for him as prime minister.
 
The 15 Umno MPs then backed Umno vice-president and Muhyiddin’s hand-picked deputy, Ismail, to take over the PN government. – August 20, 2021.