GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Harapan has thanked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for carrying out his duties impeccably in naming the new Prime Minister.

       Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had conducted the process according to the Federal Constitution and the coalition thanked His Majesty.

       “It is still too early to gauge what the new Prime Minister will do or what his policies are.

       “However, the Opposition block will play its part effectively and constructively as a check and balance.

       “I hope the new administration can focus on fighting the pandemic wholeheartedly now,” said Saifuddin Nasution who is also Kulim Bandar Baharu MP.

       Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Samad said Ismail Sabri is not a very charismatic leader and had not performed extraordinarily as a minister.

       “But I hope to be proven wrong and want him to have a different and better approach than the previous leaders. He must start focusing on the problems faced by the people,” he said.

       Selangor state assembly Speaker Ng Suee Lim hoped Ismail Sabri would concentrate on battling Covid-19 and eradicate political infighting.

       “We need the new Prime Minister to be the rakyat’s leader and, given this, he must also accept Pakatan’s views with the understanding that everyone must work together.

       “I also hope his appointment will not create friction between Umno and Bersatu as the country does not need unnecessary political upheaval at the moment,” said the Sekinchan DAP assemblyman.

       Meanwhile, Bukit Gelugor MP Ram Karpal Singh said the more important thing now is to focus on the pandemic.

       “Covid-19 is a top priority, so all parties should consolidate and focus on managing the situation, and minimising the number of positive cases and deaths,” said the DAP lawmaker.