ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob today said the question of who in Barisan Nasional (BN) will be the deputy prime minister candidate will be decided after the general election.

The caretaker prime minister said what was more important now is BN securing victory in the upcoming polls.

“(We) don’t know yet, let us (BN) win the election first. If this matter (DPM post) is in our manifesto, then, of course, we will ensure it is carried out. 

“In any case, let us wait until we secure a win, then we discuss because if we have this proposal in our manifesto, then Sabah and Sarawak will propose the candidates,” he told reporters after officiating at the closing of the Ekspresi@Finas programme in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Ismail was asked whether there had been any names proposed from Sabah and Sarawak for the DPM positions. 

Asked about PAS’ statement that the three DPM positions offered by BN were not even necessary and merely a desperate attempt to secure votes, Ismail replied: “That is PAS’ view, so let them be with their views, we have our own.” 

Yesterday, BN chairman Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed that three deputy prime minister posts be created – one each from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula – if BN wins the coming polls.

Zahid suggested the proposal be included in the Sabah BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak manifesto for the upcoming general election.

In response, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was reported to have described the suggestion as an election bait to garner support from Sabah and Sarawak voters. – Bernama, October 24, 2022.