Petition to Stop Ismail Sabri From Becoming PM Gains Over 340,000 Signatures

By Karissa Lund  •  20 Aug 2021 in News

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With the race for Malaysia’s next prime minister seemingly in its final lap, UMNO’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob is believed to be leading the pack. However, Malaysians do not seem particularly pleased with his potential appointment.

On 18 Aug, an individual name Kyle Mohd started an online petition to voice his opposition.

The petition titled, “We don’t want Ismail Sabri Yaakob to be prime minister (of) Malaysia”, has garnered over 340,000 signatures in two days, and the numbers are still increasing.

The description of the petition highlights his alleged incompetence in handling the COVID-19 pandemic under the Muhyiddin administration where infections continue to soar despite multiple MCOs previously implemented by Sabri as former Minister of Defence.

Sabri’s most-criticised announcement was on not mandating quarantine for Sabah returnees following the state election last September – a decision that many have blamed for the nation’s coronavirus surge which has now past 20,000 daily cases.

The petition also included Sabri’s well-documented remarks of an alleged racial nature over the years.

ICYMI, the Bera MP is believed to be the front runner in the race to become prime minister, following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation on Monday (16 Aug).

The king had ordered all MPs to submit statutory declarations on their choice of prime minister by 4pm two days ago, and as things stand, Ismail Sabri is said to have the backing of 114 lawmakers.

To refresh, more than 111 votes are required for an MP to have majority support to be PM.