KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) today announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the deputy prime minister (DPM).
With the new appointment, Ismail Sabri will retain his portfolio as the defence minister.
"(Ismail Sabri's) appointment will help Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to manage the country's administration and fulfil the needs of the people in the health and economic crisis facing the country," the PMO said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has been appointed as the Senior Foreign Minister and would head the security cluster which was previously held by Ismail Sabri.
Both appointments have been presented before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and comes into effect immediately.
"The Prime Minister also agreed for Hishammuddin to help him in the implementation of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been notified of both appointments which are effective immediately," the statement said.
The appointments, the PMO added, will increase the Perikatan Nasional government's ability, particularly in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, fostering unity among parties that form the government, and strengthen the PN governance to be transparent, corruption-free, and a government with integrity.
"The PMO congratulates both Ismail Sabri and Hishammuddin on their appointments."