Kamarazaman reflects on his brother the PM

INTERVIEW | News that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's older brother is setting up a new party has set tongues wagging.

Many would assume that Ismail Sabri must be involved in the new Parti Kuasa Rakyat in some way.

But the party's pro-tem president Kamarazaman Yaakob (above) said he has kept his little brother in the dark about his political aspirations.

In fact, he claimed that Ismail Sabri only found out about Kuasa Rakyat after news broke on the media.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Kamarazaman shares his thoughts about his brother, the prime minister.

What was Ismail Sabri's position on you forming a new party? Does he talk to you about politics at all?

There wasn't any clear talk between me and him.

Yes, I am his brother and we were taught by our parents for the elder to love the younger and the younger to respect the elder.

So we are close as siblings and respect each other's political leanings, and that was why he was in Umno and I was in opposition parties (Semangat 46, PRM) before this.

In this context, he and I have the same desires, because we came from a rubber tapping family, and he always says that he is the son of a rubber tapper. So our heart and soul, our body and lives, don't stray from our roots.

That is why when we look at his record, whatever ministry he leads, his desire (to help) the poor is reflected in his ministry's actions.

Because our struggles have similarities, by nature they head towards the same direction even though there was no specific discussion, but the path is to defend the poor.

This party was not planned together (with my brother), no. It is a coincidence that this party is being established after he became prime minister as I had been planning (to form this party) since two years ago.

Whether it was ordained by God, I don't know. But finally, this party will get to materialise our ideology and thoughts.

Did your brother know the party was being set up?

When the news came out, then he knew.

What was his feedback when he found out?

I think there's no reason for him to reject it, because from before we always respected each other's political stance and journey as long as it was for the sake of the poor.

I don't know what he has said. But for me, there's no reason (for him to reject Kuasa Rakyat) unless it's people who don't understand and know about my struggle, they will give negative comments and link it to my brother.

But I personally feel that he understands.

Will setting up this new party affect Ismail Sabri's administration?

We can look at anything from any angle we want and if we want to look at it negatively then we'll get hundreds of negative things.

But if we look at it positively, hundreds or thousands of positive values can be created.

So I don't see anything negative (happening) to him, his position or administration.

If I created a Malay party that mostly and clearly opposes Umno then it would definitely be negative for him.

But if I lead a multiracial party which BN no longer has, this can be viewed positively and can contribute support for BN.

There are Chinese and Indian voters who may not like (DAP and PKR) or someone who is going nowhere, but when there is a multiracial party with a clear struggle, maybe they will come and support us and this would definitely benefit BN and the government.

Are you riding on your brother's coattails, directly or indirectly?

I was born as someone who is confident in himself in all matters including life, education, student movements and politics.

I have never shared the limelight (or got) positions from my siblings including Ismail Sabri.

This was proven as I was educated in politics before him and even in national politics, I was involved before him. Setting up this party has been two years in the making since he was in the opposition.

How do you see Ismail Sabri navigating this nation?

As a prime minister whose majority is quite slim, it is clear that he is surrounded by concerns in general, but when we saw him succeed with the memorandum of understanding signed between the government and Pakatan Harapan, then it was generally seen as a good decision which eased tensions.

So this will give him space to implement what is in his thoughts and he has materialised this in the 12th Malaysia Plan, and soon the budget.

I think he is capable of facing the current situation and conditions, and I see from before even, that he is calm, peaceful and relaxed when faced with any crisis.

As a brother, I pray he will stay that way and be able to face uncomfortable situations in his political journey up to the elections.

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