KUCHING: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s days as Prime Minister appears to be numbered as the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) vice-president is under siege from his own party.
The party has given Ismail four demands which he must fulfil or face being sacked as vice-president – risking an abrupt end to his tenure as premier, reported national portal The Vibes.
At political bureau meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last Wednesday, three of the demands were centred around former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is serving his time in Kajang Prison following the Federal Court’s decision to uphold his conviction in the SRC International case.
The three demands are: the removal of the attorney-general; the removal of the chief justice; and obtaining a royal pardon for Najib. The other demand is for Ismail Sabri to immediately call for a general election.
“The prime minister was being harassed by his fellow UMNO leaders to save Najib from his long 12-year sentence,” said a source quoted by the portal. “Despite the loud demands, the prime minister insisted that he cannot interfere in the judicial process.”
“They are contemplating suspending or even sacking him at that meeting,” said another source, adding that Ismail Sabri however remained “cool” and has refused to respond or retaliate.
Earlier this week, Ismail Sabri said there have been no calls to interfere in Najib’s SRC appeal.
On matters discussed during the special UMNO meeting on Monday (Aug 22), he said it revolved around strengthening the party itself.
“It was about UMNO, about our preparation for the general election and more towards strengthening the party,” he said.
On Aug 22, it was reported that prominent UMNO leaders had gathered at the party’s headquarters for a special closed-door meeting.
It was also reported that several top UMNO leaders held a discussion with the prime minister at his official residence here on Monday night, in what is believed to be connected to the emergency meeting earlier in the day.
