PUTRAJAYA, July 9 — Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob clocked in at the Deputy Prime Minister's Office at Perdana Putra here today to start his duty as the number two leader in the country’s administration.

Clad in a blue suit, Ismail Sabri arrived at the Perdana Putra compound at 10am and was welcomed by the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and and Senior Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Department  Datuk Jamil Rakon.

Ismail Sabri, 61, was appointed deputy prime minister last Wednesday, while retaining the portfolio as Defence Minister.

After clocking into his office, which is on Level 4, he then signed the Welcome Book, following which a prayer, led by Integrity Officer at the Prime Minister’s Department Muhd ​​Redza Ahmad, was held before he attended the National Security Council (NSC) Emergency Session meeting which was held virtually with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Through his Facebook page, Ismail Sabri expressed his gratitude for the appointment and regarded it as a bigger trust given to him.

"On this blessed Friday, I start work by shouldering a greater responsibility for the people of Malaysia and my beloved country. Insya Allah, I will do my best,” he said.

Ismail Sabri, who Bera Member of Parliament and Umno vice-president, has vast experience in politics and government administration, having held several ministerial positions before, including as Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and Minister of Rural and Regional Development. — Bernama