The Malaysian Insight

ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob’s greatest strength is his ability to unite all the different factions within Umno, political observers said.

And more than that, Ismail is able to work with the opposition, said Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff. 

“He can be regarded as an accommodative and consultative leader,” said the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political science lecturer.

“Despite not being seen as ‘shining’, Ismail has managed to steer clear of major troubles, be it in the sense of personal problems or problems with other powers,” he said.

Kamarul said the criticisms against Ismail were unfounded as he has managed to execute all six demands made by the Umno Supreme Council after putting on the prime minister’s mantle.

Among these are bipartisan cooperation which culminated in signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability with Pakatan Harapan, management of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing more aid to small enterprises affected by the pandemic, strengthening Parliament, starting a royal commission of inquiry on Tabung Haji and reinvestigating issues concerning former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.

Kamarul was commenting on Umno’s recent decision to name Ismail their candidate for prime minister in the next general election.

Although, Ismail is seen as less “exciting” compared other Umno leaders such as deputy president Mohamad Hasan, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, vice-president Khaled Nordin or former finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani, Kamarul believes the Bera MP is the best Umno candidate for the job.

“Of all these other names, Ismail was the only one to hold the opposition leader role in Parliament, hence he knows how to deal with the opposition parties very well,” said the academic.

He added that Ismail is Umno’s biggest asset as he can be accepted by parties outside Umno.

“Ismail will again be very important if Umno is unable to win GE15 on its own,” said Kamarul.

Umno Batu division exco Norhisham Abdul Mutalib said Ismail’s “nomination” is a good move.

“This will show that Umno is concerned about stability for the business community and not self-interest.” – April 19, 2022.