PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional ministers congratulated newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.
Law and Parliament Minister Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who is also the PAS secretary-general, said the appointments announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin took into consideration the ministerial experiences of both Ismail Sabri and Hishamuddin.
“PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and the PAS leadership send their best wishes to Ismail on his appointment as the deputy prime minister on Wednesday (July 7).
“The appointment of Ismail Sabri is rightly based on his experiences as a minister and senior minister, as well as him being the most senior Umno leader in the Perikatan Nasional Cabinet.
“We also congratulate Foreign Minister Hishamuddin, who was appointed as a Senior Minister. He is also an experienced minister and will be able to work together with the rest of the Cabinet to take Malaysia higher internationally,” said Takiyuddin in a statement Wednesday (July 7).
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that the appointment of Ismail Sabri is in line with him being the most senior Umno vice-president, as well as the topmost Umno minister in the government.
“Hishammuddin will also further strengthen the government in his new capacity as a senior minister. Both will be of much assistance to the Prime Minister in the recovery of the nation,” said Annuar, when contacted.
Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan also congratulated their appointments, and expressed hope to strengthen the present strategic partnership between the Sabah state government and Putrajaya.
"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 the prime minister personally called his political allies to inform us of this appointment speaks volume about his leadership personality, which sets him apart from previous prime ministers," he said.
Kitingan also praised Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for making a decision that was well-thought.
"The prime minister also revealed that it took him a long time to decide on this appointment. It shows that this decision was well-considered and not done hastily," he added.
MIC president Tan Sri M Vigneswaran said that despite Barisan Nasional not being a component of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, it is heartening to note the acknowledgement of its support to Muhyiddin.
“MIC, as a Barisan Nasional component party, welcomes the announcement of the appointment of Ismail to the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Hishammuddin to the post of Senior Minister.
“We would like to thank the Prime Minister for acknowledging Barisan Nasional as the biggest block of support for the Perikatan government.
“MIC also appreciates the magnanimous attitude of other parties in the Perikatan government for allowing Barisan to hold the DPM post, despite the fact Barisan is currently not a component of Perikatan Nasional coalition,” said Vigneswaran.
He further said that he hoped these two appointments will put to rest all the politicking, as the government focuses on fighting the pandemic and economic situation.
“Let us focus on the people’s well-being now,” said Vigneswaran.
Umno supreme council member and Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Rahman said Ismail Sabri and Hishammuddin's appointments were most welcomed.
"We would also like to thank the Prime Minister for the appointments," he said briefly when contacted.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in a sarcastic response on Facebook, said he thought there would be exciting announcements regarding the Covid-19 situation, such as updates on the loan moratorium process.
Nevertheless, he congratulated his party colleagues Ismail Sabri and Hishammuddin for the appointment.