Anwar Ibrahim 'Will Not Be Difficult' Malaysian PM Sabri Yaakob If He Has A Pro-People Program

JAKARTA - The Malaysian opposition will not complicate Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's vote of confidence if the government introduces a pro-people program in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim.

He told the press after meeting with Ismail Sabri in Putrajaya along with two other PH leaders and the secretary general of the Democratic Action Party Lim Guan Eng on Wednesday local time.

Ismail Sabri Yakoob, who was sworn in as prime minister last Saturday, must prove his legitimacy in parliament, as King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decided last week during the political turmoil.

"We told him, if the situation is like that, and if the program is pro-people, we will not complicate (the vote of confidence)," Anwar Ibrahim told reporters, citing CNA Aug. 25.

Anwar said he considered the meeting a good start to raise issues such as better and more effective measures to deal with COVID-19, as well as pro-people programs that focus on poverty and job loss.

"We agreed to calm down and lower the political temperature. People's problems are a priority for the prime minister," said Anwar Ibrahim.

Answering a question whether the opposition's participation in the National Recovery Council or the Cabinet was discussed at the meeting, the president of the People's Justice Party (PKR) added that they did not attend the meeting to ask for a position.

"This did not appear (a position in the cabinet). I do not want to dispute this, and we have said from the start, we did not come to ask for a position, but to discuss COVID-19 and the problems facing the people," he stressed.

Anwar Ibrahim added that he expressed his appreciation for the meeting with PM Ismail Sabri, who is from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), adding that there would be a follow-up meeting at the committee level by both parties to discuss the points of agreement and the necessary steps.

"So that the situation of the prime minister and the state is more controlled, and politics is calmer," he concluded.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement issued after Wednesday's meeting, the Prime Minister and the three PH leaders said the hour-long meeting was held in accordance with the King of Malaysia's call to cool the political climate, find common ground in tackling COVID-19 and restoring the economy.

"A mutual agreement was reached in strengthening the function of the Malaysian parliament as a responsible and constructive body, in checking and balancing the executive to make it more transparent and (ensure) it meets the needs of the people," the statement said.

"We also agree and understand the importance of judicial independence, institutional reform and good governance in ensuring a more conducive environment for the people and country in the context of the Malaysian family," the statement continued.