Malaysia’s new PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob and opposition leaders agree to find common ground

A joint statement said the meeting focused on handling the Covid-19 pandemic, saving lives and reviving the economy

Anwar Ibrahim said it was a ‘good beginning’ and he felt positive about working with the new government to heal the nation

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Malaysia's new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is seen in his office in Putrajaya. He met with opposition leaders on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:53pm, 25 Aug 2021Updated: 8:53pm, 25 Aug 2021

Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and opposition leaders pledged on Wednesday to find “common ground” to tackle a coronavirus outbreak and boost the economy, seeking to ease long-running political turbulence.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour at the premier’s office, was focused on how best to handle the Covid-19 crisis, save lives and revive the economy, according to a joint statement signed by Ismail and the three leaders of the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition: Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu.

Anwar said the meeting left him feeling positive about working with the new government to heal the nation that has seen three changes of administration since 2018.

“This was a good beginning for us to present more effective ways to manage Covid, and pro-people programmes focused toward the problems of the poor and unemployed,” Anwar told reporters in Putrajaya after the meeting.

Malaysia has been under a nationwide lockdown since June to fight the outbreak, forcing the closure of many businesses and affecting the livelihoods of millions. On Wednesday it reported 22,642 new coronavirus cases and 265 new deaths.

“If the situation is like this and there are pro-people programmes, we will not complicate matters,” he said when asked what position Pakatan Harapan would take should a confidence vote be tabled in parliament. The king, who appointed the premier, has asked him to face the vote to confirm he has the support of MPs.