Ismail Sabri, Former Deputy PM, Gears Up to Claim Malaysia’s Premiership

Ismail Sabri Yaakob is Back in the Game

In Kuala Lumpur, former Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is making a move that could usher in a brand‑new government. On Thursday, the 19th of August, he secured a parliamentary majority with the same coalition that sadly disintegrated earlier this week. Talk about a comeback story!

Why This Matters

Majority Secured: Sabri’s coalition now holds enough seats to command the floor.
New Leadership Soon: With a majority in hand, the transition to a fresh cabinet is on the horizon.
Political Shake‑up: After the high‑speed roller coaster that was the previous administration, the country may finally find a steadier ride.

The End of the Stormy 17‑Month Ride

Just a week earlier, former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned on Monday, confessing that he could no longer win the support of his own alliance. His stepping down marked the conclusion of a rough 17‑month stint in office.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is still grappling with a surge in COVID‑19 cases and an economic downturn. The resignation adds another layer of political turbulence to an already mixed bag.

It’s a Wild Ride, But Here Goes…

With Sabri at the helm, the next chapter might bring fresh energy and a few laughs—hopefully with fewer drama-packed episodes. Stay tuned for what’s next in Malaysia’s politics.

Ismail Sabri Returns to Power: UMNO’s Comeback After a Rocky Three Years

Rumor has it that Ismail Sabri could be back in the driver’s seat, bringing the long‑ridden United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) back to the helm of Malaysian politics. Three years after the party’s crushing defeat in the 2018 elections—mainly blamed on hefty corruption accusations surrounding the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund—UMNO has clawed its way back into the political spotlight.

Caretaker PM’s Unanimous Nod to Sabri

Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced that his coalition is fully on board with putting Sabri in charge. The aim? A smooth run‑through of Covid‑19 policies and a steamy recovery for the nation until the next elections roll around.

But Only If He Cleanse the Cabinet

Muhyiddin made it crystal clear: Sabri’s cabinet must stay squeaky clean—no war‑chests brimming with graft. This is no small ask, given that several UMNO members faced corruption charges after that 2018 loss.

Political Numbers and Royal Involvement

Isa“ Sabri, 61, reportedly has the backing of 114 out of Malaysia’s 222 seats—just enough for a slim majority. Ahmad Maslan, a prominent UMNO lawmaker, dropped on Twitter: “Ismail Sabri has the support of 114 lawmakers.”

King Al‑Sultan Abdullah, the country’s constitutional monarch, is slated to sit down with senior royals on Friday. After the meeting, the king is expected to lock in a new premier, making it likely that a decision on the government’s next head will soon be announced.

UMNO’s Long‑Haul and Fragile Alliances

For six decades, UMNO steered the nation—until the 2018 vote came crashing in. The two governments that followed were short‑lived, teetering on the brink of collapse. A key part of the last coalition, but the group fizzled out when a handful of UMNO lawmakers decided to pull the plug.

Will Sabri’s Era Stay Stable?

Senior fellow Oh Ei Sun from the Singapore Institute of International Affairs skeptically suggests that Sabri’s government might wrestle with stability too, largely due to that narrow majority. The political landscape is as volatile as ever.

In short: Ismail Sabri is poised to step back into the limelight, but the road ahead is no picnic. The nation watches keenly, hoping for clean governance and a steady recovery after the pandemic’s storm.

Is Malaysia’s Pandemic Puzzle Still Full of Q&A?

Why Ismail Sabri’s Time in the Hot Seat Looks Rough

In Muhyiddin’s campaign, Ismail Sabri was a key player in shaping the nation’s COVID‑response. Yet, as the country sees one of the highest coronavirus infection and death rates in the region—per million residents—he’s stepping up right when the public’s patience is running thin.

Public Frustration Piling Up

Despite multiple lockdowns that spanned weeks, the virus kept spreading at record speeds.
Vaccinations ramped up, but the death toll still made people feel like they were stuck in a hard loop.
People are now asking: “Why hasn’t the plan actually kept us safe?”

Sabri’s Long-Standing Political Journey

Spanning over two decades in parliament, Ismail Sabri’s record includes:

Key roles under former Prime Ministers.
Managing rural and regional development, agriculture, and domestic trade.
Handling cabinets that tried to juggle health, economy, and buzzed‑out parties.

Can He Turn the Tide?

With the surge continuing, people are eyeing whether Sabri can stitch this crisis together fast enough to keep everyone from feeling like the government is just spinning its wheels.

—

— The roller‑coaster of politics and public health is a story that keeps evolving as political leaders juggle the demands of the nation.

Ismail Sabri, Former Deputy PM, Gears Up to Claim Malaysia’s Premiership