Ismail Sabri said his administration will continue the previous government’s efforts in ensuring Malaysia achieves herd immunity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s government today invited opposition leaders to be part the National Recovery Council (NRC) and the Special Committee on Covid-19.
In line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for all political parties to bury the hatchet, Ismail Sabri called on all quarters to work as a team to persevere harmony in the country.
“We must embrace the spirit of togetherness. I would like to offer the leadership of the opposition to be part of the National Recovery Council (NRC) and the Special Committee on Covid-19.
“I understand that the political turmoil has greatly distressed the public and political stability must be swiftly achieved through togetherness, and this includes cross-party cooperation.
“Together with this government, I will ensure an administrative team that will help our country recover from both the economic and health crisis. I pledge to do my best so that the trust placed in my team and I, is not misplaced,” he said in his maiden speech as premier.
Ismail Sabri, 61, who is the Bera MP, took his oath of office as prime minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara here at 2.28pm on Saturday.
With the country witnessing three prime ministers in three years, Ismail Sabri described the changes of governments in a short period as detrimental to the people and country.
“Thus, let us move forward. We must stamp out this grab for political power. Let us as one big family comprising civil servants, private-sector workers, and the self-employed heal our nation.
“Let us work together as one big Malaysian Family to restore Malaysia to her level of prosperity that we are accustomed to.
“I solemnly pledge to work with the people” he said.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and acknowledged the previous government’s efforts especially in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines, which has seen the country consistently administer over 500,000 vaccine doses a day.
He said his administration will continue the previous government’s efforts in ensuring Malaysia achieves herd immunity.
Ismail said he was optimistic that the success of the vaccination programme will enable the people to go back to their hometowns and reunite with their families, celebrate festivities and travel.
“The youth will be able to hang out, go back to university and most importantly, our children will be able to return to school.”
He said this optimism was fuelled by Labuan’s experience which had reached herd immunity and seen a decrease in daily cases.
On the economy, Ismail said his administration will focus on two main objectives, namely increasing the purchasing power of the people and reviving the private sector to catalyse national economic growth.
“So, our focus will be on the people who have lost their jobs and incomes, those who earn meagre income, small and medium enterprises, as well as industries and the domestic tourism industry.”