Ismail Sabri appointed new opposition leader
The opposition bloc in the new Parliament session beginning Monday will be led by Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob who will replace Bagan Datuk MP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan said Ismail's appointment was made based on his seniority as the party's vice-president.
The opposition bloc in the new Parliament session beginning Monday will be led by Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob who will replace Bagan Datuk MP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan said Ismail's appointment was made based on his seniority as the party's vice-president.
"The chief whip position (currently held by Ismail) will be handed over to his next in line who is (Padang Terap MP) Mahdzir Khalid," Mohamad told a press conference after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
Present were Ismail, Mahdzir and other top Umno leaders. Zahid was absent.
Quizzed on Zahid's reaction to Ismail's appointment, Mohamad merely smiled and said, "Syukur Alhamdulillah".
He added the decision had been agreed to by all BN parties as well as the other parties on the opposition bloc including PAS.
"When we decided to appoint (a new opposition leader) we called all BN members," he said.
Zahid was appointed to the opposition leader's post on July 16 last year following BN's loss in the 14th general election.
Prior to GE14, the opposition leader's post was held by then Permatang Pauh MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.