Sabah leaders react to Ismail Sabri's appointment as DPM

 By Olivia Miwil - July 7, 2021 @ 8:24pm

-Pic credit to Facebook Dr Jeffrey Kitingan

KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to the post of deputy prime minister will further strengthen the strategic partnership between Sabah and the federal government.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the prime minister had personally informed him about the appointment of the Umno vice-president to the federal government's No. 2 post.

"With Ismail Sabri's solid track record, having held numerous important portfolios in the government, it will help relieve the prime minister of some of duties, especially in handling the pandemic.

"I have no doubt that this appointment will also help further strengthen the government and stabilise the political situation in the country.

"The fact that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin personally called his political allies to inform us of this appointment speaks volumes about his leadership personality, which sets him apart from previous prime ministers," said Jeffrey, who is Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president, in a statement.

Today, Muhyiddin also announced Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's elevation to senior minister level while holding on to his foreign ministry portfolio. Hishammuddin will now head the security cluster previously held by Ismail Sabri.

In a separate statement, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said both appointments would strengthen and stabilise the government's administration.

"Their appointments will enhance the government capabilities especially in tackling Covid-19 pandemic, to revive the economy and help the people during these difficult times.

However, Sabah DAP secretary Chan Foong Hin said the appointment was merely a political move to stabilise the fragmented Perikatan Nasional as certain Umno factions have always made "threats" that they would withdraw their support for the ruling coalition.

With Ismail Sabri's promotion to deputy prime minister, he said, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would lose influence.

"With Ismail Sabri being appointed deputy prime minister, Zahid has no valid justification to convince his party colleagues to leave the current government.

"He is the party president who does not call the shots (now). Ismail Sabri emerged as the possible new leader of Umno," said Chan, who is Kota Kinabalu member of parliament.