Umno and Bersatu insiders explain who is being nominated for which seats in Ismail Sabri's cabinet

According to party insiders, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob does not want a deputy, let alone one from the political adversary Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

However, sources from both Umno and Bersatu informed Malay Mail that Ismail may have no choice but to select one because it was one of Bersatu's criteria in exchange for its support for his prime ministership last week.

Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, a Bersatu contender for the DPM role, has also been nominated to be put in charge of the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

On the condition of anonymity, a Bersatu insider said, "Azmin was suggested as DPM and MoF."

According to the source, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, whose departure as prime minister on August 16 opened the way for Ismail's rise to power, has warned his successor that if he does not name a Bersatu member as his deputy, the party will withdraw its support.

“If Ismail does not choose a DPM from Bersatu, Muhyiddin would withdraw support,” the source stated.

According to a party insider, Azmin's nomination for the two positions was not warmly accepted by Umno.

This is because the country's largest political party is also interested in the Finance Ministry.
On the party's own candidates, the Umno source was tight-lipped.

However, two names from the party have been officially floated: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, both of whom are not now members of parliament.