COMMENT | On Oct 23, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob launched his government’s official theme – ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ (Malaysia Family) – in Kuching, Sarawak.

This theme was first introduced in his maiden speech as prime minister in August 2021, after he was appointed to head the executive arm of the government by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, following the political crisis that led to the resignation of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

In his speech, Ismail Sabri said that Malaysians are "one family, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity".

“Every single one of you resembles my very own family – regardless of age differences. We complement each other and are in need of one another as part of a single body,” he said.

As is the case with every prime minister who has taken office before this, Ismail Sabri and his government would want this ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ theme to be the legacy of the administration.

We have seen other themes before this by preceding governments: Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first tenure as prime minister saw him introducing the concept of ‘Wawasan 2020’, for example.

But Ismail Sabri’s ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ could be said...