Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin appoints Umno stalwart Ismail Sabri as deputy in ‘political Hail Mary pass’

The change comes amid growing scrutiny over the government’s support in parliament, which will sit later this month for the first time since January

Foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein, another Umno stalwart, has also been promoted and will concurrently be in charge of security affairs

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Malaysia’s new deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Photo: DPA

Published: 6:43pm, 7 Jul 2021Updated: 7:10pm, 7 Jul 2021

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday said Ismail Sabri – a key member of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party that props up the ruling coalition – would be made deputy prime minister, amid growing scrutiny over the government’s support in parliament.

The changes come ahead of a July 26 parliamentary sitting – the first legislative session since Muhyiddin obtained royal assent in January for a state of emergency to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also promoted was foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein, another Umno heavyweight, who will now concurrently be the senior minister in charge of security affairs – the post previously held by Ismail. The new deputy prime minister will continue to be Malaysia’s defence minister.

Political observers said the changes suggested Muhyiddin was desperate to hold on to Umno’s support ahead of a meeting of the party’s top leaders on Wednesday evening.

“A political ‘Hail Mary pass’ to save Muhyiddin’s government by promoting two of his cabinet … on the eve of an Umno Supreme Council meeting to decide whether the (divided) party will stay in his government,” tweeted Bridget Welsh, a long-time analyst of Malaysian politics.

The two promoted Umno politicians are part of a faction within their party – the country’s largest, by membership – that is seen as more aligned towards the prime minister.

Another faction, led by Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former premier Najib Razak, has for months ratcheted up pressure on Muhyiddin, and reportedly has also been holding backchannel talks with the opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance.

The Muhyiddin administration is under pressure in the lead up to Malaysia’s first parliamentary session since January. Photo: DPA

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin appoints Umno stalwart Ismail Sabri as deputy in ‘political Hail Mary pass’

The change comes amid growing scrutiny over the government’s support in parliament, which will sit later this month for the first time since January Foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein, another Umno stalwart, has also been promoted and will concurrently be in charge of security affairs

The change comes amid growing scrutiny over the government’s support in parliament, which will sit later this month for the first time since January

Foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein, another Umno stalwart, has also been promoted and will concurrently be in charge of security affairs