FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is ready to call it quits and retire from mainstream politics, revealing that he originally planned to quit politics after the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018.In an interview published in the Berita Harian (BH) today, he said it was a crisis in the country that led to his appointment as prime minister in August 2021.“I had made plans that if I win the GE14, I would become a minister, resign from office and later be appointed as a senator. After ending my senatorship, I would immediately quit politics.“I wanted to take a rest after the national polls (GE14). But then, I was made the prime minister,” he told BH in a special interview recently.Despite his decision to quit politics soon, Ismail admitted that he is still concerned about the future of his political party, UMNO, as the party is losing support from the masses following two consecutive defeats in national elections.He also expressed his worries about the recent expulsion of party members who were seen as dissidents.Ismail acknowledged the recent decision by UMNO to reserve its top two posts; he said he accepted and respected the decision made based on the majority support thrown by delegates during the party’s general assembly.Ismail emphasised that he had not expressed or voiced any interest in running for the two positions (UMNO presidency or No 2) in the upcoming party elections.“For me, if we are going to contest (for seats) it should not be a crowded affair, where three to four people vying for a single seat. There is no meaning to that. It will only lead to divisions in the party.“That is why (then before UMNO made a decision on the contesting for the president and deputy president posts) I had said that we need to look into the party’s stand on the matter.”Thus, it looks like it will be the end for the former PM. — Feb 5, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
