PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will meet Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders at his office this afternoon, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said Ismail will meet PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

The meeting is called as speculation mounts on the new cabinet line-up that Ismail is expected to announce soon.

Shortly before the meeting, the PH presidential council issued a statement saying that Anwar would be meeting leaders of all opposition parties soon.

He would be holding the meeting in his capacity as the opposition leader.

“This meeting is in line with PH’s agreement to have all opposition parties under one umbrella to strengthen the opposition,” the PH presidential council said in a statement.

The statement was signed by Anwar, Mohamad and Lim. 

They said Anwar will also be discussing the current political situation and preparations for the Parliament meeting beginning September 6.

“He may also discuss the need for a special Dewan Rakyat meeting held earlier on the motion of confidence on the prime minister as well as to fill the deputy speaker’s post, which has fallen vacant following the resignation of Azalina Othman Said,” the statement said.

Ismail, in his maiden speech as the prime minister, has asked the opposition to take part in the government’s national recovery plan to overcome Covid-19.

He has, however, rejected speculation that he would incorporate the opposition in his cabinet, which is expected to be announced later this week. – August 25, 2021.