The Malaysian Insight

TWO Umno Members of Parliament have come out to say that their signatures on a list purportedly supporting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was merely to confirm their attendance at a meeting among Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs.

Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar and Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said it did not mean they were supporting Muhyiddin during separate virtual press conferences.

“My signature that went viral showing support was not true. The signature was for my attendance at a meeting will all the MPs this morning,” Noh said

He said during the meeting that he also agreed that Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) government is legitimate until Parliament convenes in September.

“At Parliament, Muhyiddin’s position as PM will be determined. We obey the Agong’s decree that Muhyiddin’s legitimacy has to be brought to Parliament,” the Selangor Umno chief said.

Meanwhile, Azeez said he had attended the meeting to hear what Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had to say as the chief whip of the government members of parliament.

“I wish to clarify the signature on the document currently viral-ed is that of my attendance at the meet. There are no other letters signed by me. I only attended to hear the briefing. I am a party member, I’m loyal to my party and its decisions. Any party decision is en bloc. Whatever is decided, we will do together,” he said.

This morning Ismail said 31 BN members of parliament had expressed their support for the PN government.

He said they would leave it to Parliament to test the its legitimacy.

The MPs present were Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap), Shahidan Kassim (Arau), Idris Jusoh (Besut), Noh Omar (Tanjong Karang), Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak), Hasan Ariffin (Rompin), Azeez (Baling), Ismail (Bera), Annuar Musa (Ketereh), Halimah Sadique (Kota Tinggi), Ismail Mohd Said (Kuala Krau), Abdul Rahman Mohd (Lipis), Ismail Mutalib (Maran), Shahar Abdullah (Payar Besar), Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar), Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin), Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas), Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu), Salim Sharif (Jempol), Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam) and M. Saravanan (Tapah).

Noh said that they had agreed that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had to explain the party’s decision to pull out support for Muhyiddin.

Azeez said he will play his role when called upon in Parliament when the confidence motion was put to test.

“My stance is clear; I agree and will comply with the Umno supreme council’s decision to withdraw support for the prime minister in Parliament.

“I want to deny any allegations that I am easily bought or flip-flopped,” he said

He hoped the voters in his Baling parliamentary constituency will not be confused by his attendance at this morning’s event. – August 6, 2021.