KUCHING, Aug 21: Malaysia’s ninth Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is close and friendly towards both urban and rural communities, including the people of Sarawak.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said this was what he witnessed when Ismail Sabri spent time in Sarawak previously.
“Dato Sri Ismail Sabri had visited Sarawak several times before, including in Kapit in 2010.
“At that time, I saw how he was not clumsy in approaching the people in Kapit and seemed comfortable spending the night and engaging in various activities there, including community programmes held in Kapit Community Hall,” said the Kapit MP.
Through personal experiences of working with Ismail Sabri when he was the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Nanta, who was his deputy then, expressed admiration towards the former’s leadership.
Nanta added that Ismail Sabri had proven his ability when he held the Senior Minister of Defense (Security Cluster) post and handled Covid-19 issues for almost 17 months.
“Apart from that, he has held several ministerial posts since 2008. Among the positions were Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and Minister of Rural and Regional Development,” he said in a statement today.
Nanta, who is also Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, said GPS hopes that all parties including the opposition, will be open-minded with the new premiership.
“We must set aside all differences at this time and together focus on the more important issues, namely the welfare, well-being and security of the people as well as the country’s economic recovery as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“GPS believes in the ability of Dato Sri Ismail Sabri and gives full support to him to lead the country towards further recovery out of the current crisis,” he added. — DayakDaily
