KUALA LUMPUR: It is time for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to be appointed Barisan Nasional chairman, says Umno’s Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

       The Communications and Multimedia Minister said as the party’s chosen nominee for prime minister for the next general election, Ismail Sabri must be given “as much space as possible” to set up a new administration.

       He said this will enable him to bring a new national order that is fresher, cleaner and with integrity to restore confidence.

       “I believe that it is time for him (Ismail Sabri) to be entrusted with the post of Barisan chairman and Barisan’s election director for GE15,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Annuar, who is the Ketereh Umno chief, said the Umno supreme council’s decision to propose Ismail Sabri as the prime minister candidate showed a consensus within the party.

       In KOTA KINABALU, Barisan component Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) expressed full support of Umno’s choice of Ismail Sabri as its prime minister candidate.

       PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said Ismail Sabri has performed well since taking over the federal administration with a focus on political stability, the people’s welfare and economic development.

       He said the Prime Minister had also united all parties and introduced the concept of the Malaysian Family, also citing his efforts to get the anti-hopping law passed before the general election.

       Kurup said Ismail Sabri had also ensured that Sabah and Sarawak were back to its original status in the federation through the successful constitutional amendment, and also cited the increased annual federal special grant for Sabah.