Malaysia's new PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob offers rivals reforms in return for support

Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (second from right) met opposition leaders (from left) Mohamad Sabu, Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Guan Eng on Aug 25, 2021. PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, MALAYSIA
Mr Ismail (second from right) discussed a confidence and supply agreement with the opposition leaders, according to official sources. PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, MALAYSIA
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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob met top leaders of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition pact on Wednesday afternoon (Aug 25) to offer reforms and wider measures to combat a deepening Covid-19 crisis, in exchange for their support in Parliament.

Official sources told The Straits Times (ST) that the leaders discussed a confidence and supply agreement (CSA), whereby PH's 88 lawmakers will vote in favour of the newly appointed Premier in an upcoming confidence motion and support Bills relating to government expenditure.

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