KUALA LUMPUR: The government, under the administration of newly-appointed prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob must continue its efforts in fighting Covid-19 promptly, the King has decreed.
The Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin in announcing Ismail Sabri's appointment earlier, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed hope that it would mark the end of the political crisis.
He said the King wants members of parliament (MPs) to put aside their political agenda by staying united and extending cooperation in the efforts to manage the pandemic for the interest of the people and country.
"His Majesty reiterated his view that it is unreasonable for the people to be burdened with never-ending political turmoil during a time when the country is struggling with health issues and economic slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"MPs are reminded to demonstrate solidarity by prioritising, giving high commitment and providing best services to the people," he said in a statement.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his appreciation for the continuous support of the Malay rulers in exercising his duties as constitutional monarch, with the Supremacy of Federal Constitution and Rules of Law as pillars of the country.
He said the Malay rulers also supported the stance by the King to have the formation of a stable government to be expedited following the resignation of the prime minister, by carrying out due diligence and observations through the statutory declaration (SD) by the MPs, as well as conducting both physical and virtual meetings with them.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also called for the public to remain calm and prayed that "the country would always be under Allah's protection, steered away from calamity and for the Covid-19 pandemic to be curbed and end soon", he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah consented to Ismail Sabri's appointment as the new prime minister after a two-hour special meeting with Malay rulers, following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 16, he said.
The appointment process is in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
Ismail Sabri's swearing-in ceremony will be held at 2.30pm tomorrow at Istana Negara.