Anwar hints at opposition’s support for Ismail in confidence vote

Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that the opposition will not vote against Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in the event that a vote of confidence is tabled to confirm his support for the top post.

“We have informed that if this is the atmosphere, and the programmes are pro-people, we will not make it difficult,” he told reporters after meeting Ismail at the Prime Minister’s Office today.

Anwar, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu were earlier called by Ismail for a discussion, seen as in keeping with palace advice that the new government work together with the opposition in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anwar said Ismail’s invitation to them today showed that Umno was shedding its “No Anwar, No DAP” rule.

“Ismail represents Umno, but he met with Anwar and DAP. So I joked to him that this ‘No Anwar, No DAP’ stand has changed,” he said.

Anwar added that the meeting had not touched on the opposition’s involvement in Putrajaya’s National Recovery Council, but that the PH leaders had raised several issues related to the economy.

Anwar was Ismail’s closest contender for the prime minister’s post, following the power vacuum caused by the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin.

Following a count by Istana Negara, it was announced that Ismail had received the support of 114 MPs.

However, there is dispute over the number of MPs who backed Anwar, with some saying only 92 stated their support for the Port Dickson MP.

The palace had earlier said that the new prime minister should reaffirm his support through a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.