PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must resist the internal politics of Umno and implement more reforms while he is still in office, DAP secretary-general said Anthony Loke said.

Loke urged Ismail to act like a prime minister and not as an Umno leader.

“As the prime minister, any decision he makes must (be in) the nation and the people’s interests, and not just for political interest.

“If Ismail dares to go against the tide and fend off the pressures of internal politics, he will be able to implement reforms that will have positive, long-term implications for the country,” Loke said in a Merdeka Day message today.

Loke said the PM does has not much time left as a general election is just around the corner.

He said the Ismail administration’s memorandum of understanding with Pakatan Harapan has led to various reforms, including the drafting on an anti-party hopping bill which involves a constitutional amendment.

The Seremban MP urged Ismail to introduce laws to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, separate the roles of the public prosecutor and attorney-general, regulate political financing, constituency development, and set a fixed-term for parliament.

“These are the reforms that Ismail needs to look into and implement before the GE.”

“In the spirit of Merdeka, let us stand together under the Jalur Gemilang and temporarily lay aside our individual party flags for a greater cause,” he added.

Ismail has been under heavy pressure by Umno leaders to dissolve parliament and call for a GE.

Last week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had demanded Ismail call snap polls, saying Umno could win the election if GE is held at once.

Ismail has kept his own counsel, saying nothing beyond telling the media to “wait”.  – August 30, 2022.