• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Trending:
  • Kashmir
  • Elections
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Daily Times

Your right to know

  • HOME
  • Latest
  • Iran-Israel Tensions
  • Pakistan
    • Balochistan
    • Gilgit Baltistan
    • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
    • Punjab
    • Sindh
  • World
  • Editorials & Opinions
    • Editorials
    • Op-Eds
    • Commentary / Insight
    • Perspectives
    • Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Featured
    • Blogs
      • Pakistan
      • World
      • Ramblings
      • Lifestyle
      • Culture
      • Sports
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • E-PAPER
    • Lahore
    • Islamabad
    • Karachi

Malaysia’s new PM takes office amid mounting health crisis

Malaysia swore in a new prime minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, on Saturday as the Southeast Asian nation battles its worst COVID-19 surge and public anger grows over mismanagement of the pandemic.

The appointment of Ismail Sabri, 61, restores the role to a party tainted by graft accusations, after he secured a parliamentary majority from the same alliance that collapsed this week and replaced Muhyiddin Yassin. Ismail Sabri, formerly Muhyiddin’s deputy, was sworn in at the national palace after beingpicked by King Al-Sultan Abdullah, the constitutional monarch.

He took the oath of office in front of the monarch and other coalition leaders, including former prime minister Najib Razak.

King Al-Sultan Abdullah has previously said the new prime minister would have to face a confidence vote in parliament to prove his majority. read more

Ismail Sabri starts his job at a time when Malaysia’s infections and deaths relative to population rank as southeast Asia’s highest. An online petition started this week drew 350,000 signatories opposing Ismail Sabri’s appointment, citing his handling of the pandemic. Friday’s 23,564 cases were a record for a third straight day, taking the tally beyond 1.5 million. Public anger has grown as infections spread despite multiple extended lockdowns and ramped up vaccinations. Since last month, Malaysians in need have hoisted white flags at their homes to seek public help. read more

Although Malaysia escaped the worst of the pandemic last year, a regional election led to a steady spike in infections since the fourth quarter of 2020, with the Delta variant worsening the situation in recent months. Flip-flops on lockdown measures, failure to act against politicians who violated rules and months of politicking have soured the public. The pandemic has also dampened economic growth, with the central bank slashing its 2021 forecast twice this year. read more

With Ismail Sabri in office the post is being returned to the UMNO, which governed for more than six decades since independence, but was defeated in a 2018 election over a scandal at state fund 1MDB. He becomes Malaysia’s third prime minister since the 2018 election, after UMNO pulled its backing for Muhyiddin last month.

Filed Under: World

Submit a Comment




Primary Sidebar




Latest News

Imran Khan’s sons to join movement in Pakistan, says sister Aleema Khan

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet in Makkah for key talks

Peshawar high court cancels ECP notification on reserved seats in KP assembly

Govt clears four bidders for PIA sale in major privatisation push

KP launches ‘Khyber pass’—Pakistan’s first QR-based digital ID system

Pakistan

Imran Khan’s sons to join movement in Pakistan, says sister Aleema Khan

Peshawar high court cancels ECP notification on reserved seats in KP assembly

Govt clears four bidders for PIA sale in major privatisation push

KP launches ‘Khyber pass’—Pakistan’s first QR-based digital ID system

26 Punjab MPAs face disqualification under article 63(2), says speaker

More Posts from this Category

Business

ZTBL loan scandal: Rs. 11 billion in farmer loans go missing

Govt sets bold target to slash port clearance delays by 70%

Gold prices surge by Rs1,500 per tola in Pakistan

Experts say Pakistan’s EV growth needs time and strong policies

Pakistan to import half a million tons of sugar amid price surge

More Posts from this Category

World

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet in Makkah for key talks

ICC moves against Taliban: Warrants issued for human rights violations

Afghan family wins visa battle against German government freeze

More Posts from this Category




punjab

Footer

Home
Lead Stories
Latest News
Editor’s Picks

Culture
Life & Style
Featured
Videos

Editorials
OP-EDS
Commentary
Advertise

Cartoons
Letters
Blogs
Privacy Policy

Contact
Company’s Financials
Investor Information
Terms & Conditions

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube

© 2025 Daily Times. All rights reserved.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy