Malaysia’s new PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob urges unity to fight pandemic and revive economy during first national address

Ismail said the political battles that led to a change of government twice since 2018 elections had been detrimental to the country and distressed the public

‘Political stability must be swiftly achieved through unity, and this includes cross-party cooperation,’ the new prime minister said on Sunday

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Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Malaysia’s new prime minister. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:17pm, 22 Aug 2021Updated: 8:25pm, 22 Aug 2021

Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob struck a conciliatory tone in his first national address on Sunday, saying he would embrace the opposition in an effort to tackle the runaway pandemic and revive a slumping economy.

A day after being sworn in, Ismail said the political battles that led to a change of government twice since 2018 elections had been detrimental to the country and distressed the public.

“Let us move forward. Let us stem this grab for political power,” he said, urging all lawmakers to find common ground and work together to help the nation recover.

The new prime minister said he would invite the opposition to be part of the National Recovery Council and the committee combating Covid-19.

“Political stability must be swiftly achieved through unity, and this includes cross-party cooperation,” he said.

Many view Ismail’s appointment as a return to the status quo. He was the deputy prime minister under the government of Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned on Monday after less than 18 months in office as infighting in his coalition cost him majority support.

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