PETALING JAYA, July 7 (Sin Chew Daily) – The Prime Minister's Office announced in a statement today that Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been appointed deputy prime minister.

Ismail Sabri will continue to helm the defense portfolio.

Meanwhile, foreign minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will now be a senior minister.

The PMO said His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong had been briefed of the appointments, which will take effect immediately.