PETALING JAYA: Public welfare programmes launched under former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must be continued by the newly formed Cabinet under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

       "The good foundation laid by Muhyiddin should be a framework for us to move forward," said Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan in a statement on Friday (Aug 27).

       Wan Saiful, in commending the latest Cabinet line-up, also reminded the newly-appointed ministers of their responsibility in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.

       "The responsibilities under each Cabinet member is a big duty. I'm sure each Cabinet member will continue efforts to address the pandemic, public welfare and to revive the economy," said Wan Saiful, who also called upon the new Cabinet to immediately look into Muhyiddin's proposal of institutional reforms during his tenure as prime minister.

       In an attempt to gain bipartisan support, Muhyiddin had offered to implement reforms such as limiting a prime minister's tenure to two terms, and table an anti-party hopping law.

       Muhyiddin had said these reforms will be implemented if he wins the confidence vote in Parliament.

       However, Muhyiddin's proposed bipartisan cooperation was rejected by the opposition, and he subsequently resigned on Aug 16.

       Ismail Sabri was sworn in as Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister at Istana Negara on Aug 21.