A FORMER Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leader said that despite weaknesses, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob managed to “calm” the country from political instability.
“In spite of his outsider status, lacklustre image and poor 100-day performance, Ismail Sabri has provided calming effects to the country.
“He is even seen quietly standing up to the UMNO warlords and even co-opting them into his brigade,” A Kadir Jasin said in a Facebook post.
After taking over office in August, Ismail Sabri has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakatan Harapan to bring back stability the country, as both sides of the divide were squabbling incessantly since the latter was ousted from power in 2018.
Through the MoU, the Government had enacted various reforms such as providing equal allocation to Opposition backbenchers, extending loan moratorium to businesses and individuals hit by COVID-19 and restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal to Peninsula Malaysia, instead of being mere states.
Despite Ismail Sabri’s relative success, Kadir said that only time will tell whether the former can change UMNO for the better before the next general election.
“He may try but it won’t be easy. The corrupt and immoral would want to hold on to their posts so as the use them as bargaining chips to secure their freedom,” he opined.
Step aside, veteran leaders
Nevertheless, Kadir projected that UMNO may strengthen its grip on power as voters may grudgingly accept the nationalist party, only if it was willing to ditch corrupt leaders.
“And they should promote younger leaders in its fold. UMNO needs quality leaders, not publicity seekers and clowns,” he added.
On that note, Kadir said that opposition parties have been weakened by internal squabbles, defections and lack of promising leadership, with the exception of DAP.
To resolve the matter, he urged all political parties to look beyond its current leaders, adding veterans should stay only to inspire and guide their successors.
“But meaningful succession must coincide with the ‘Undi 18’ and the growing dominance of female participation.
“The poor turnout during the recent Malacca state election should have reminded politicians that the people are getting fed-up with their selfishness and wayward ways,” Kadir concluded. – Dec 18, 2021
