KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has described the appointments of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Deputy Prime Minister and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as Senior Minister (Foreign) as most apt considering that both have vast experience in senior ministerial positions.
Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, said Ismail and Hishammuddin could count on the State Government’s full support.
“We believe the appointments will strengthen the Perikatan Nasional (PN) and at the same time allow Malaysia to focus on the effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Ismail Sabri would also continue to hold the Defence Ministry portfolio while as a senior minister, Hishammuddin would take over the security cluster previously led by Ismail Sabri as well as assist the Prime Minister in the implementation of the National Recovery Plan.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan expressed hope that the new appointments would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Sabah and the federal government.
Jeffrey said that the Prime Minister had personally informed him of the decision to appoint Ismail Sabri to the post.
He said that Ismail Sabri’s solid track record, having held numerous important portfolios in the government, will help relieve the prime minister of some of the duties, especially in handling the pandemic situation.
“I have no doubt that this appointment will also help further strengthen the government and stabilize the political situation in the country.
“The fact that the prime minister personally called his political allies to inform us of this appointment speaks volumes about his leadership personality, which sets him apart from previous prime ministers.
“The prime minister also revealed that it took him a long time to decide on this appointment. It shows that this decision was well-considered and not done hastily,” he said.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said the appointment of Ismail Sabri and Hishammuddin will further strengthen PN-led government to focus on the National Recovery Plan in the shortest possible time.
“This is what the people want,” said SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
Yong, who is also a deputy chairman of the ruling Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council, stated that the Prime Minister had obviously made these decisions with the Covid -19 pandemic National Recovery Plan in mind and to ensure the cabinet is suitably manned by able, experienced statesmen with excellent crisis management track records to help steer the nation post pandemic economic regeneration plan.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the appointment of the new Deputy Prime Minister is timely and fitting, especially to meet the current needs of the country facing enormous challenges from Covid-19.
“The new Deputy Prime Minister is the right person for the task as he has performed well as senior minister in the last one year,” said Ongkili, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs).
In congratulating new appointees, PBS also further believes Hishammuddin will be able to carry out his duties well as the senior minister overseeing the security cluster.
“The new appointments will also further strengthen the stability of the PN government, and PBS will continue to work closely with both leaderships in the federal and state levels,” he said.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup said the appointment of Ismail Sabri as the Deputy Prime Minister and Hishammuddin as Senior Foreign Minister will further strengthen the administration of the government.
As a component within Barisan Nasional (BN), he said PBR fully supports the appointments and is confident with the abilities of both leaders basing on their proven experiences and achievements in the government’s administration.
“The appointment will improve the capacity of the government to face the challenges brought forward by the pandemic, restore the country’s economy and help the people during this difficult period,” he said in a statement.
Kurup also said that the country now needs a stable government to face the challenges, especially the health crisis.
“This is the time for us to restore the country’s economy and not the time for politicking. All parties must join hands and work together to address the pandemic for the wellbeing of the people.”