Interim PM claims are just rumours, says Ismail Sabri

BERA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has described claims that he will be appointed interim prime minister as “mere rumours”.

He said such rumours were probably ignited to muddle the ongoing situation or split the government, which was currently busy trying to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I was also made to understand that in the Federal Constitution, there is no such term as interim prime minister or government.

“I feel that these rumours should not be entertained, especially when there are parties trying to divide us because if we do (entertain them), the situation will worsen.

“Don’t get too caught up with what is being bandied around because the right thing to do now is to calm the situation.

“Let us all unite as we have bigger responsibilities. Why don’t we just focus on that?” the Deputy Prime Minister said here.

Some media portals had been reporting that Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, had strong support among Cabinet ministers to be appointed interim prime minister to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The reports further claimed that the Perikatan Nasional leadership was currently discussing this possibility.

On another matter, Ismail Sabri said the decision to adjourn the Dewan Rakyat special sitting today was made based on science and health facts, and was not due to a political agenda.

He said it was in line with the recommendation of Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah after several positive Covid-19 cases occurred within four days of the sitting.

“The Health Ministry has a relevant Act – Act 342 (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act) – to postpone (Parliament) due to concerns.

“We do not have a Parliament ‘green bubble’ ... whereby these people are only allowed to travel from Parliament to go home and not to go anywhere else,” Ismail Sabri noted.

“... and we do not know, if there are those who are positive. They would go home and meet their family members or perhaps go to other places such as mosques and supermarkets, increasing the risk of the virus spreading to more people,” he said. — Bernama