On 21st August 2021, YAB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was officially sworn in as the 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia, ending almost a week of political turmoil in Putrajaya. The 61-year-old politician from United Malays National Organization (UMNO), formerly the Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, took the oath of office before King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the national palace. In short, the new Prime Minister received a total of 114 MPs votes, giving him the majority support. On contrary, the opposition’s candidate for prime minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was backed by 105 lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Industries Unite (IU), a non-political trade coalition of 117 trade associations & chambers of commerce which represents 3.3 million businesses in Malaysia today, held an all-presidents virtual meeting on the 21st August 2021 afternoon. Led by Dato’ David Gurupatham and Datuk Irwin SW Cheong, all sectors of industry presidents were present, and various topics were discussed and brought forward from medium, small and micro businesses with the hopes of assist most ministries and agencies on collecting data from the ground, and proposing enhanced SOPs, working with various government ministries, and ministers to achieve a common goal together.
As YAB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is in the midst of accelerating its effort with seeking a confidence vote in the parliament, the IU collectively has released the following statements:
- Industries Unite congratulates YAB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Bin Yaakob, on his appointment as the 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
- We at Industries Unite (IU), extend our full support to the new Prime Minister of Malaysia & the new government. We pledge to assist in government’s efforts towards improving economy, welfare and well-being of the Rakyat.
- We thank his Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, for his advice that the new government prioritizes working towards improving the welfare of the people, improving the economy and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in an inclusive and united way.
- We hope that the current level of engagements between Government and Industry will continue to thrive and improve further. We must continue with a whole of Government and whole of society, approach to fight this Covid-19 battle.
- We thank the out-going Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Mahiaddin Yasin for his service to the country and for implementing some of Industries Unite’s suggestions as stated in our letter to him, dated 30th June 2021.
- We extend our gratitude to the various outgoing ministers who have opened their doors to us and who have been working closely with Industries Unite over the last few months; with special mention to the ministers in the ministries of Finance, MITI, MEDAC, KPDNHEP, MOHR, Federal Territories, KPKT & Prime Ministers Department.
Moving forward, IU hopes that more voices of inclusivity from medium, small and micro businesses will be included in the formulation of the national policy, (especially in the National Recovery Plan) in the future, towards working together to build a better Malaysia for the Rakyat.
