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Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Ismail Sabri Yaakob was appointed as Malaysia's ninth prime minister following the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin on August 16. A lawyer by training, Ismail Sabri's ascendancy will reclaim the position for his party, Umno, three years after a shock election loss.

Born

18 Jan 1960

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Politician

last updated:

7 October, 2024

Malaysia

‘Ready to prosecute’: Malaysia to charge ex-PM Muhyiddin’s son-in-law for graft

Authorities have been searching for Muhammad Adlan Berhan since August in relation to a probe on a project involving the registration and recruitment of foreign workers.

22 Feb 2024 - 4:20PM

Malaysia

Malaysia targeting ex-finance minister Daim because of his ‘success’, wife says

11 Jan 2024 - 6:13PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno shuts door on ex-Covid tsar Khairy, but for how long?

28 Jan 2023 - 4:00PM

Malaysia

What’s at stake in Umno’s general assembly? Anwar’s staying power as Malaysia PM

Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government hinges on support from Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is preparing to fend off challenges to his leadership ahead of party polls in May.

11 Jan 2023 - 3:11PM

Malaysia

Can Anwar Ibrahim survive confidence vote to build a better Malaysia?

Anwar’s decision to put his authority on the line could see his administration halted in its tracks prematurely, with MPs allowed to vote independently of party line.

17 Dec 2022 - 4:04PMvideocam

Ismail Sabri Yaakob

‘Ready to prosecute’: Malaysia to charge ex-PM Muhyiddin’s son-in-law for graft

Authorities have been searching for Muhammad Adlan Berhan since August in relation to a probe on a project involving the registration and recruitment of foreign workers.

Malaysia targeting ex-finance minister Daim because of his ‘success’, wife says

Malaysia’s Umno shuts door on ex-Covid tsar Khairy, but for how long?

What’s at stake in Umno’s general assembly? Anwar’s staying power as Malaysia PM

Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government hinges on support from Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is preparing to fend off challenges to his leadership ahead of party polls in May.

Can Anwar Ibrahim survive confidence vote to build a better Malaysia?

Anwar’s decision to put his authority on the line could see his administration halted in its tracks prematurely, with MPs allowed to vote independently of party line.

Malaysia’s Anwar sworn in as new PM; says China ties will be ‘enhanced’

Pakatan Harapan’s chief has been sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, after five days of political uncertainty.

Hope for Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysian king remains firm on unity plan

Hope lingers for Anwar to emerge as PM after Muhyiddin reportedly rejected the king’s proposal for a ‘unity government’.

Malaysia faces first ever hung parliament in tight election race

Failure by the main parties to win a majority means a combination of them would have to build a majority alliance to form a government.

Malaysia election turnout at 65 per cent at 3pm, nation readies for vote count

Malaysia’s 15th general election, conducted against a backdrop of surging inflation and fears of deadly floods in the monsoon season, is likely to be the most hotly contested the country has ever seen.

Explainer | Malaysia election 2022: A quick guide to what you need to know

Malaysia’s tumultuous political scene, coloured by corruption and politicking, is further complicated by racial policies, the rising cost of living, economic uncertainty and an election held during monsoon season.

Malaysia election 2022: ‘Pakatan Harapan’s to lose’ or Umno strikes back?

Umno’s corruption-tainted Barisan Nasional coalition promises ‘stability’. But internal strife and growing support for Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan could yet deny them a return to power – as could the ‘unprecedented amount’ of undecided voters.

Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional dangles cash handouts in bid to win over voters

The current ruling coalition has promised to introduce an ‘Assistive Basic Income’, which aims to ensure every household in the country takes home at least US$466 per month, if it wins this month’s election.

‘Umno’s job has become a lot harder’: no clear winner seen in Malaysia election

A crowded election field involving the three main coalitions, tens of parties and a record 108 independent candidates will add to the challenges posed by the influx of millions of young voters who are voting for the first time, according to local pollsters.

Malaysia’s Umno drops PM’s allies ahead of polls as power struggle intensifies

Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi left out eight ministers and deputy ministers from the Barisan Nasional coalition’s candidate list for the November 19 elections.

‘Still angry’: as Malaysians lose faith in politics, will new faces offer hope?

Malaysian voters diverge on how best to avoid a return of Umno to pre-2018 strength, with some still counting on Pakatan Harapan and some looking to new parties like youth-centric Muda.

‘My last effort’: Malaysia’s Mahathir, 97, on why he’s not done with politics

The two-time leader says he is standing for election because of the people’s will and desire to block former protégé Najib Razak from retaking power.

Anwar Ibrahim named Pakatan Harapan PM candidate as Malaysia election nears

Anwar will face caretaker premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was endorsed by the ruling United Malays National Organisation during November 19 poll.

Malaysia to hold general election on November 19

National polls were not due until the third quarter of 2023, but PM Ismail Sabri had been under pressure to call for early elections from his Umno party. Timing of the election has been criticised because it coincides with the annual monsoon season.

Malaysian PM says ruling coalition’s days of easy poll wins are gone

Ismail Sabri Yaakob said gone were the days when the coalition could field a songkok – the black cap traditionally worn by Muslim males in Malaysia – and still win.

Malaysian ringgit set to fall further as election risk adds to economic woes

Malaysia’s ringgit, languishing at a 24-year low against the dollar, is poised to weaken further on concern a national election may threaten the government’s ability to push through a deficit-busting budget.

Malaysia’s Mahathir, 97, to contest election to ‘save country from Umno rule’

Malaysia’s elder statesman will defend his seat of Langkawi in the coming general election, but won’t say if he would be PM a third time if his new political alliance wins.

Explainer | Malaysia’s Umno faces fierce fight for Malay and youth vote as polls near

Analysts say it might be a ‘tall order’ for any group to win a supermajority this time, given the larger number of parties and coalitions in the fight.

Malaysia PM dissolves parliament, paving way for snap polls amid monsoon season

PM Ismail Sabri’s decision, endorsed by the king, comes despite pleas from the opposition to hold the polls after the November monsoon season.

Malaysia cuts spending, touts ‘careful, flexible’ stance amid global turmoil

Finance minister says world’s geopolitics and fall in economic growth mean all countries, not just Malaysia, must be prepared for any eventuality.

Malaysia gears for election-friendly budget with smaller deficit

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob final budget on Friday before a looming election offers a rare opportunity to win over voters with spending proposals.

What Malaysia’s attitude to Thor and Mat Kilau says about its polls

Ban on films part of broader crackdown on activity deemed offensive to conservative sensibilities of Malay-Muslim majority, in sign polls could be called soon.

Respite for Malaysia’s ‘court cluster’ as Umno boss Zahid Hamidi acquitted

Zahid, an ally of former leader Najib Razak, faces a second corruption trial but his acquittal in one of two trials is relief for Umno as it eyes a return to power after its historic loss in the watershed 2018 election.

Malaysia’s Anwar: We have ‘fair chance’ to win polls even without Mahathir

The opposition leader said his three-party alliance still has strong support, while there is infighting and graft within PM Ismail Sabri’s administration.