KUANTAN: Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders in Pahang have expressed their pride over Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's appointment as Malaysia's ninth prime minister.
Conveying their well-wishes, they said the four-term Bera member of parliament will shoulder the huge responsibility of steering the country back to normal following the Covid-19 pandemic and bring the economy back on track.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said Temerloh-born Ismail Sabri's appointment was a proud moment for the people, especially those from Pahang.
"I hope all quarters will provide full support to Ismail Sabri to allow him to execute his duties effectively, especially on efforts to curb Covid-19 which hit a record 23,000 cases today," said the state Umno chairman.
Pahang MIC chairman V. Arumugam said Ismail Sabri has a huge task ahead but remained optimistic that the Umno vice-president will be able to deliver.
"He is aware of the tasks ahead which include tackling the pandemic, reviving the economy and ensuring the success of the vaccination programme. Lets hope that with support from all parties, everything will proceed smoothly," he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Bersatu deputy chairman Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunus said it was a "big moment" for the people of Pahang with Ismail Sabri becoming the PM.
"Bersatu will work together as a party in PN by focusing on the people. There are no issues as the Bersatu president (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) who is the PN chairman, along with other MPs, have given him their backing.
"The support is clear and there are no issues..... Ismail Sabri has to carry out his responsibilities for the people and country. He has to respect the conditions put forward by the PN chairman, which was not to include individuals with issues into his cabinet," he said.
Ismail Sabri is set to be only the second MP from Pahang to become prime minister within the last 11 years after Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Razak was appointed Malaysia's sixth PM in April 2009.
