Ismail Sabri starts work as deputy prime minister

Ismail Sabri Yaakob clocked in at the Deputy Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya today to start his duty as the number two leader in the country’s administration.

Clad in a blue suit, he arrived at the Perdana Putra compound at 10am and was welcomed by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali and Senior Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Rakon.

Ismail Sabri, 61, was appointed deputy prime minister on Wednesday (July 7) while retaining his portfolio as defence minister.

After clocking into his office, which is on Level 4, he then signed the Welcome Book and took part in a prayer led by Integrity Officer at the Prime Minister’s Department Muhd Redza Ahmad, which was held before he attended the National Security Council (NSC) Emergency Session meeting which was held virtually with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Through his Facebook page, Ismail Sabri expressed his gratitude for the appointment and regarded it as a bigger trust given to him.

“On this blessed Friday, I start work by shouldering greater responsibility for the people of Malaysia and my beloved country. Insya Allah, I will do my best," he said.

Ismail Sabri, who is the Bera MP and Umno vice-president, has vast experience in politics and government administration, having held several ministerial positions before, including as the youth and sports minister, domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, as well as the rural and regional development minister.

- Bernama

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