Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he has explained to Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders that the need to appoint a Bersatu MP as deputy prime minister does not arise because the party already holds senior minister positions in the government.

Speaking to reporters after opening the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur today, Ismail Sabri explained that the senior minister post is almost at the level of deputy prime minister.

In July, PN had expressed the party's disappointment over Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's alleged lack of interest in keeping his promise with them.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin reportedly said this had prompted PN to send a delegation to meet the Bera MP for talks on Aug 4.

Among the terms in the agreement between PN and the prime minister was to appoint a DPM from Bersatu.