With Pakatan parley, smooth sailing ahead for Ismail Sabri

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob may have turned the tables in his favour less than a week after being sworn in.

From holding a slim majority in the Dewan Rakyat with the support of only 114 of the 220 living MPs, the Bera lawmaker now enjoys the conditional backing of opposition politicians, following a meeting with Pakatan Harapan leaders two days ago.

Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has promised not to “complicate” matters if a vote of confidence is held in Parliament, provided that the political atmosphere remains as it is and pro-rakyat programmes are delivered.

Ismail Sabri’s decision to reach across the aisle was lauded, with leaders from both sides of the divide, pundits and the public commending him for acceding to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for political differences to be set aside in the fight against Covid-19.

But beyond that, the move has given the prime minister much-needed breathing space and a sense of security to work without the constant pressure and fear of losing majority support should certain quarters withdraw their backing if their demands are not met.

It was this very situation that plagued Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s 17-month tenure as prime minister, and eventually led to his downfall.


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