He said the new Cabinet would be decided within the week and would be first presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah for his consent before it is announced publicly.

“Wait for the announcement. Within this week. Don’t believe the lists that are being shared on social media. Every day, there is a new list.

“It is fake. Looks like there are a lot of people trying to help me out,” he laughed at a press conference in Yan today.

When asked if the Cabinet members would be chosen based on merit or party quotas, Ismail simply answered: “We’re almost there.”

On the issue of the deputy prime minister’s post going to a Sarawak MP from the GPS coalition, he said the matter was being considered.

“Before I decide who becomes minister, we will take into account all interests,” he said.

Ismail added that he was thankful for the encouraging support from the opposition in wanting to help the government.

He said that while they would not be part of his government, they would be directly involved in the National Recovery Council, helping out in matters related to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery.

Ismail, an Umno vice-president, was sworn in as the country’s ninth prime minister on Saturday following the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 16.