Several Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament (MP) have allegedly named Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as their sole candidate for Prime Minister after a UMNO supreme council meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn last night (17 August).
Berita Harian reported that Ismail Sabri is alleged to have received the majority support of more than the 111 MPs needed to form a new government.
According to NST, UMNO members of parliament are expected to sign the statutory declarations (SD) in support of the Bera MP which will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today (18 August) before 4pm.
Astro Awani reported that several BN MPs have confirmed the matter, namely UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
“Only one name was proposed as the Prime Minister candidate by UMNO/BN MPs on 17 August 2021, namely Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri,” Ahmad Maslan said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, Azalina Othman Said said that Ismail Sabri is a qualified candidate to hold the post.
āTechnically, he is a former Deputy Prime Minister and is the Vice President of UMNO. He should be next in line,” she said.
Annuar Musa also confirmed the matter in a Facebook post, although he did not mention which MP he was referring to.
“BN only has 42 parliamentary seats. To enable the PM candidate to be elected, BN needs at least 69 more support from other parties making it at least 111/220,” he wrote.
“Alhamdulillah, we have just finished discussions with members of parliament and representatives of other friends’ parties, to ask to support a candidate from BN.”
“We are very moved because a number of more than 69 who are needed have agreed to give support to a candidate from BN.”
Stay tuned for more updates!
Also read: The Biggest Question In Māsia Right Now, Who Will Be PM? Here Are The Possible Nominees
