Ismail Sabri as Umno-BN’s pick for PM yet to be settled
Divisions within Umno remain deep, with the former DPM yet to officially secure his numbers
Some Umno members are opposed to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime ministerial candidate, citing his ‘pengkhianat’ tag. – Bernama pic, August 17, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Despite earlier indications that Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is the party’s sole choice for prime minister, it is apparent that divisions within Umno remain deep, with the former deputy prime minister yet to officially secure his numbers.
Several Umno Supreme Council members had called The Vibes to correct a story that Ismail Sabri has secured support, saying that, on the contrary, it is not a done deal.
They said the Supreme Council had given MPs the freedom to pick their candidate for prime minister.
“The negotiations are going to go down to the wire. Nothing is certain. Just wait for the SDs (statutory declarations),” said another Supreme Council member.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said that the former deputy prime minister is indeed the sole candidate for BN.
“Yes, Ismail Sabri,” he said briefly.
KUALA LUMPUR – Despite earlier indications that Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is the party’s sole choice for prime minister, it is apparent that divisions within Umno remain deep, with the former deputy prime minister yet to officially secure his numbers.
Several Umno Supreme Council members had called The Vibes to correct a story that Ismail Sabri has secured support, saying that, on the contrary, it is not a done deal.
They said the Supreme Council had given MPs the freedom to pick their candidate for prime minister.
“The negotiations are going to go down to the wire. Nothing is certain. Just wait for the SDs (statutory declarations),” said another Supreme Council member.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said that the former deputy prime minister is indeed the sole candidate for BN.
“Yes, Ismail Sabri,” he said briefly.
Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman says political cooperation with other parties, such as Bersatu and PAS, is currently under way. – SADIQ ASYRAF/The Vibes pic, August 17, 2021
Asked on political cooperation with other parties such as Bersatu and PAS, Tajuddin said this was currently under way.
“Yes of course, we requested the numbers.
“I’m happy because BN are united. We agreed to one candidate only.
“We request that the number (is sufficient) with support from Bersatu and PAS. The more the merrier.”
It is learnt that despite the overwhelming endorsement for Ismail Sabri, several Umno lawmakers, such as Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Putrajaya MP Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, will not support the Bera MP as the candidate for the post.
Furthermore, it is understood that the said MPs would prefer to nominate Gua Musang MP Datuk Seri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for the top post instead due to the “pengkhianat” tag labelled on Ismail Sabri.
Another Umno leader, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said although Umno appeared to be divided, this is not the case.
She said the Supreme Council has allowed the MPs involved to decide, and they decided on one candidate.
Asked on political cooperation with other parties such as Bersatu and PAS, Tajuddin said this was currently under way.
“Yes of course, we requested the numbers.
“I’m happy because BN are united. We agreed to one candidate only.
“We request that the number (is sufficient) with support from Bersatu and PAS. The more the merrier.”
It is learnt that despite the overwhelming endorsement for Ismail Sabri, several Umno lawmakers, such as Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Putrajaya MP Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, will not support the Bera MP as the candidate for the post.
Furthermore, it is understood that the said MPs would prefer to nominate Gua Musang MP Datuk Seri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for the top post instead due to the “pengkhianat” tag labelled on Ismail Sabri.
Another Umno leader, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said although Umno appeared to be divided, this is not the case.
She said the Supreme Council has allowed the MPs involved to decide, and they decided on one candidate.
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said says while Umno might appear divided, this is not the case. – SADIQ ASYRAF/The Vibes pic, August 17, 2021
On only having 42 MPs in the coalition, Azalina said: “I think we cannot deny that it’s a coalition and we have been briefed that BN will have its own set of partners to help cross the finishing line on the numbers of 111,” she said, referring to the minimum number of MPs needed to garner majority support in Parliament.
On who the partners are, Azalina said “it is up to the bosses”.
“What’s been said by many people is that, whoever runs the country has to focus on Covid. It will have to be a team effort to focus on Malaysia.”
Azalina also said Ismail Sabri is the highest ranking politician next to the Umno president and BN Backbenchers club chairman.
“He was also the deputy prime minister so I think, in that sequence, it is quite agreeable for all of us that it’s him.”
Earlier, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the party has left it to the MPs to decide on the candidate.
BN had 42 MPs with 38 from Umno.
On only having 42 MPs in the coalition, Azalina said: “I think we cannot deny that it’s a coalition and we have been briefed that BN will have its own set of partners to help cross the finishing line on the numbers of 111,” she said, referring to the minimum number of MPs needed to garner majority support in Parliament.
On who the partners are, Azalina said “it is up to the bosses”.
“What’s been said by many people is that, whoever runs the country has to focus on Covid. It will have to be a team effort to focus on Malaysia.”
Azalina also said Ismail Sabri is the highest ranking politician next to the Umno president and BN Backbenchers club chairman.
“He was also the deputy prime minister so I think, in that sequence, it is quite agreeable for all of us that it’s him.”
Earlier, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the party has left it to the MPs to decide on the candidate.
BN had 42 MPs with 38 from Umno.
Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin says Umno is leaving it to its MPs to decide on the candidate for the prime minister’s post. – SADIQ ASYRAF/The Vibes pic, August 17, 2021
Whether the pick will be unanimous will only be known tomorrow.
“Umno MPs have been told to nominate who they want in their statutory declarations (SDs),” said one Supreme Council member.
Earlier, Bernama had reported that the candidate for Umno-BN will be decided by the party president, deputy president and chairman of the BN Backbenchers Club.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, meanwhile, said BN has identified one candidate for the prime minister’s post.
He said BN has resoundingly agreed on the candidate but stopped short of naming the politician.
“The leader will be clean and accepted by the people,” he told reporters.
He added that the candidate has been endorsed by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Earlier, Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa had also confirmed, in a Facebook post, that all 42 Barisan Nasional MPs had secured majority support for its candidate to be the next prime minister. – The Vibes, August 17, 2021
Whether the pick will be unanimous will only be known tomorrow.
“Umno MPs have been told to nominate who they want in their statutory declarations (SDs),” said one Supreme Council member.
Earlier, Bernama had reported that the candidate for Umno-BN will be decided by the party president, deputy president and chairman of the BN Backbenchers Club.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, meanwhile, said BN has identified one candidate for the prime minister’s post.
He said BN has resoundingly agreed on the candidate but stopped short of naming the politician.
“The leader will be clean and accepted by the people,” he told reporters.
He added that the candidate has been endorsed by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Earlier, Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa had also confirmed, in a Facebook post, that all 42 Barisan Nasional MPs had secured majority support for its candidate to be the next prime minister. – The Vibes, August 17, 2021
I thought ROS bilang Supreme Council is expired, only caretaker? Was this meeting even valid? UMNO MPs are not bound by their “decision”. Lawsuits coming?
ReplyDeleteAny keyboard thumping from Jibby? What was all that chest thumping about? Only pura2 but now Kwai Kwai sokong Mahiaddin/Bersatu’s lapdog Ismail Sabri?
ReplyDeletePlease check the 11.5 billion borrowed by PN gomen last week. Still around? All of a sudden UMNO all "united"?
ReplyDeleteJibby twitted yet?