Ismail Sabri to remain opposition leader despite Zahid's return

Bera MP Ismail Sabri (above) will remain the leader of the opposition despite Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's return to active duty as the Umno president.

"I have made the decision, and also received consensus from all opposition MPs, that Ismail's appointment as the opposition leader during my absence remains unchanged," he told journalists in the Parliament lobby this afternoon.

Zahid resigned as the opposition leader when he decided to go on leave as the Umno president last December.

His deputy Mohamad Hasan took on the role of acting president in his absence, while vice-president Ismail filled up the opposition leader position.

Zahid went on leave amid pressure for him to step aside over his alleged inability to provide his party with direction.

He also presided over an exodus of lawmakers from the party, with threats of further defections if he did not step aside.

Nevertheless, he announced his return yesterday, a year to the day he was elected as the Umno president.

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