VARIOUS wild perceptions and conclusions by various parties are not good in politics, especially when someone holds the position that makes him looks like an opportunist. This is a clear picture of how challenging the workload is for UMNO Vice President Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who is also the Senior Minister of Defense.

The conclusion about his silence as a Vice President and senior minister in the government was repulsed in an exclusive interview with UMNO-Online.

According to Ismail Sabri, such perceptions are not only misguided but completely far beyond what has been implemented so far and among the examples that may have been forgotten is when the party president was attacked and criticised to resign.

“Some people speak out every day while I do not. When many criticized and asked the president to resign, I issued the earliest statement saying let’s not attack the president on the outside. We have our own space to present our views together. Let’s not fight openly.

“We resolve internal issues internally. In fact, when two opposing groups arise it is difficult for me… if I join this group or that group, it means I am escalating the wars. No group is right or wrong, what matters is I prefer to be a peacemaker.

“As I said earlier, I do not want to see UMNO split. It is better that we become an arbitrator to resolve issues that arise and avoid it from becoming worse. Although each has their own views, in the end, the party is everything and the institutions that need to be taken care of,”he said.

At the same time, Ismail who is also the Member of Parliament for Bera said, the image he carries in the Cabinet is an image as an UMNO minister.

“That is why I focus on COVID-19. The days of meetings… call for press conferences on television because we want to protect the people. UMNO members should also be proud because at least every day this ‘face of UMNO’ appears on television. I am UMNO, its Vice President and a member of the Supreme Working Council. Whatever I do, it’s reflective of UMNO.

“People say COVID-19 sees the style of an UMNO minister. I used to take care of the Movement Control Order (PKP), the security… Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba took care of health. There are only two strategies to fight COVID, the first is the health strategy in Dr Adham, and the second is SOP compliance also under me and thirdly is the vaccine strategy under Khairy Jamaluddin,” he said.

So the conclusion is clear Ismail Sabri carries image of the party in the government.

“People will say, ooo… this is an UMNO minister… Don’t misinterpret me for something else. My loyalty to the party is unquestionable,” he said.