Ismail Sabri Yaakob served as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia from August 2021 until 2022, ascending to the position following the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin. A member of the United Malays National Organisation, his tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the nation during the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and his oversight of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan.
Early Life and Legal Career
Born in 1960 in Temerloh, Pahang, Ismail Sabri is a graduate of Universiti Malaya, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws. During his youth, he worked as a roadside hawker to support himself. He commenced his legal practice in 1985 before transitioning into local governance roles, including service on the Temerloh District Council and the Municipal Council, alongside positions on various state-linked boards.
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Ismail Sabri entered the Dewan Rakyat in 2004, representing the constituency of Bera. His rise within the United Malays National Organisation followed years of grassroots activity, having held leadership roles within the Temerloh division and serving as the inaugural Bera division chief. His parliamentary career solidified his standing within the Barisan Nasional coalition, enabling his ascent to various cabinet portfolios.
Ministerial Tenures
Before his premiership, Ismail Sabri held multiple ministerial positions, beginning with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2008. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Minister of Domestic Trade and Living Costs, where he introduced the Malaysia Competition Act of 2010. He later served as Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, implementing the 'Jihad Against the Middlemen' initiative, followed by a tenure as Minister of Rural and Regional Development from 2015 to 2018.
Crisis and Premiership
During the 2020 political crisis, Ismail Sabri served as a Senior Minister before his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister in 2021. Following the collapse of the government under Muhyiddin Yassin, he secured the support of parliamentarians to lead the country. As Prime Minister, he focused on public health recovery, including the management of the national vaccination programme and the subsequent lifting of the Movement Control Order.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Temerloh
- Education: Universiti Malaya
- Political Party: United Malays National Organisation
- Parliamentary seat: Bera (since 2004)
- Prime Minister of Malaysia: 2021-2022
- Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia: 2021
- Knight Grand Commander of Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca: 2022
- Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu: 2020
Questions readers ask
Which ministry did he lead between 2009 and 2013?
He served as the Minister of Domestic Trade and Living Costs.
When did he first join the Dewan Rakyat?
He was first elected as a member of the Dewan Rakyat in 2004.
Achievements
- Member of the Dewan Rakyat (from 2004)
- Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia (2021–2021)
- Prime Minister of Malaysia (2021–2022)
- Minister of Defence (2020–2021)
- Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu — 2020
- Knight Grand Commander of Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca — 2022
- Grand Order of Mugunghwa
- Educated at Universiti Malaya
