KUALA LUMPUR: In his maiden address as the country's ninth prime minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob called on all members of the Dewan Rakyat to work together in ensuring the nation recovers from the health and economic crises brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ismail Sabri said this can be achieved if members of Parliament from both sides of the divide adopted an open heart and mind as well as finding a common ground to rebuild the nation from the pandemic-induced crises instead of harping on their differences.
"We need to unite to save our family, that is the Malaysian Family," he said in his speech which was aired on major television networks including RTM, Bernama TV and TV3.
Ismail Sabri, who is the Bera MP, added that he had chosen the concept of "Malaysian Family" since the phrase is inclusive in nature and transcends across boundaries of religion, race and ethnicities.
"We do realise the existence of inter-marriage families with various races and religions, and yet possessing strong family bonds.
"Thus, the concept of Malaysian Family is akin to the strength of a nation bound by such values.
"We are all part of a family despite diversity of religion, race and ethnicity. Every single one of you is like my very own family – regardless of age difference.
"We are complementing and in need of one another as parts of a single body," he said.
Earlier, Ismail Sabri recorded his appreciation to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and all the Malay Rulers for consenting to his appointment as the country's new prime minister.
He also recorded his appreciation to his predecessor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who he said did his very best in facing numerous challenges along with cabinet members of Perikatan National (PN).
He also thanked all other political parties in Barisan Nasional, PN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak as well as independent parties.