Umno top guns yet to green light Ismail as PM, says insider

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: Top Umno leaders have yet to give their blessing for a move by some MPs and others for party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob to take over as prime minister when Muhyiddin Yassin, according to a party insider.

He told FMT that discussions have been continuing since late afternoon today to discuss the nomination of a candidate for the post. “They are trying to garner support for Ismail to be the prime minister,” the insider said, “but it has not received the blessing of party bigwigs.”

Ismail is believed to have had a meeting with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi this evening but another Umno source told FMT that “the meeting didn’t go too well”. Instead, Zahid was said to have expressed interest in Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to replace Muhyiddin based on his experience in politics and the respect he commands from the public.

The Umno source said the party may leave the decision in the hands of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Ismail Sabri’s candidacy is also supported by Bersatu secretary general Hamzah Zainuddin, who is home minister in Muhyiddin’s government. Hamzah’s name has been suggested as deputy prime minister in a new government headed by Ismail.


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