Why Bersih graded Ismail Sabri the best prime minister since 2009

 

From Emily Yap

The recently released Bersih report grading Malaysian prime ministers since 2009 has sparked widespread discussion, particularly due to its surprising ranking: Ismail Sabri Yaakob was ranked as the best prime minister since 2009.

This result has raised eyebrows, given Ismail’s relatively short tenure.

I was a Perdana Fellow attached to the prime minister at the time and later had the privilege of continuing as a government officer at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Although I am no longer working with the government, I have been receiving questions from friends and relatives about this ranking, such as: What did Ismail actually achieve during his time in office? Why was he ranked first in the Bersih report? What led to this unexpected ranking?

What follows is based on my observations and understanding of his tenure.

Commitment to institutional reforms

One of the most notable aspects of Ismail’s administration was his openness to working with the opposition and civil society on institutional reforms.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and the opposition, several key reforms were achieved during his tenure, such as:

• Anti-Party Hopping Law: This long-awaited legislation addressed the issue of political defections, which had often destabilised governments in the past;
• Lowering the voting age to 18 (Undi18): Although much of the groundwork for this was done before his time, his administration ensured its implementation, allowing more young Malaysians to participate in the democratic process; and
• Parliamentary reforms: Efforts were made to strengthen parliamentary committees and foster greater accountability, helping to rebuild public confidence in the legislative process.

While these reforms are not solely Ismail’s efforts, I would say that achieving these milestones during the critical period after the Covid-19 pandemic was only possible due to the relative stability his leadership brought to an otherwise turbulent political environment.

This stability allowed for productive collaboration between opposing sides, a rarity in Malaysia’s often divisive politics.

Transparency and collaboration

Bersih praised Ismail for demonstrating a higher degree of transparency and openness to collaboration compared with other leaders since 2009.

His willingness to engage with stakeholders, including civil society and the opposition, on critical reforms marked a shift from the more unilateral approaches of some predecessors.

I personally witnessed Ismail’s efforts to create an environment of dialogue and cooperation.

Whether it was engaging with civil society groups on policy matters or fostering bipartisan collaboration, his approach was focussed on finding common ground during a politically turbulent period.

While not every effort was without its challenges, his leadership during that time reflected an intent to govern inclusively.

Comparison with other prime ministers

The ranking is not only a reflection of Ismail’s accomplishments but also a comparison with other prime ministers:

• Najib Razak (2009–2018): Najib’s tenure was marred by the 1MDB scandal, undermining public trust and tarnishing Malaysia’s reputation globally.
• Dr Mahathir Mohamad (2018–2020): While hailed as a reformer during his return, Mahathir’s administration was criticised for delaying reforms – and his resignation led to political instability.
• Muhyiddin Yassin (2020–2021): Muhyiddin’s government faced criticism for suspending Parliament during the pandemic, raising questions about democratic accountability.
• Anwar Ibrahim (2022-present): Anwar’s administration has faced challenges in meeting high public expectations, and Bersih has criticised its lack of progress in institutional reforms.

Final thoughts

The Bersih report doesn’t claim Ismail was a perfect leader, and it acknowledges shortcomings in areas like governance and public communication.

However, compared with the tumultuous and often controversial tenures of other prime ministers, his administration is seen as a period of relative calm and progress on key reforms.

Ismail’s high ranking in the Bersih report highlights the importance of political stability, incremental reforms and inclusivity in leadership.

While his tenure wasn’t free from criticism, his government’s achievements in pushing forward institutional reforms and stabilising the political landscape set him apart from other prime ministers.

I believe this Bersih report also serves as a reminder to the current prime minister, Anwar, that the citizens are closely observing the government.

We voted for a better country, and we are genuinely looking forward to the fulfillment of the promises made during the general election.

Accountability, progress and integrity should remain at the core of Malaysia’s leadership as the nation continues to progress.

Let’s hope for better governance in Malaysia moving forward. - FMT

Emily Yap is a PhD student and Monash University scholar.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT