PUTRAJAYA: Umno supreme council’s decision to name him as prime minister candidate for the 15th General Election proves that the party is strong and united, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said this cleared any perception that there were camps and factions in Umno.

       “The unanimous decision proves the public perception of the party wrong. It is evident that solidarity in Umno is strong.

       “I would like to thank the party president, deputy president, the two vice-presidents and the supreme council for proposing (me) as prime minister candidate,” said the Prime Minister after launching CoopMart on Friday (April 15).

       Asked if this is an indication that the general election was near, Ismail Sabri replied: “Not sure yet.”

       The Umno supreme council which met on Thursday had unanimously decided to name Ismail Sabri as the party’s choice for prime minister when Barisan Nasional enters the GE15 fray.

       Ismail is one of the party’s three vice-presidents.

       During Umno’s general assembly held in March, delegates had pushed for the national polls to be held as soon as possible.

       To a question, Ismail Sabri said the general practice was for the government to follow decisions made by Umno and the supreme council.

       He was asked whether the government would heed the supreme council’s decision not to extend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Putrajaya and Pakatan Harapan after July 31.

       “For now, that is the decision (not to extend the MOU). However, if there are latest developments that require changes to be made to the decision, I will bring this matter to the supreme council.

       “As the vice-president, I am also subjected to decisions made by the supreme council,” he said.

       Ismail however pointed out that the deadline was still months away.

       The government and Pakatan leaders had signed the MOU on bipartisan cooperation and political stability on Sept 13 last year.

       Under the MOU, the government, among others, agreed not to dissolve Parliament before July 31, to allow for a period of political stability.

       A provision in the document also stated that Pakatan agreed to support or remain neutral in any motion submitted by the government.

       However, there have been calls to terminate the MOU after Putrajaya failed to get approval for the extension of provisions under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in Parliament last month.