30 BN MPs believe to have signed declaration letter to support Muhyiddin as PM

 

PETALING JAYA: Thirty Barisan Nasional MPs are believed to have signed a declaration letter to support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to remain as Prime Minister, reports Sinar Harian.

The Malay news portal reported that the secret meeting at Wisma Perwira began at 9pm on Sunday (Aug 1) night and was chaired by the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club (BNBBC) chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

According to Sinar Harian, a Barisan MP source said that the declaration letter defending Muhyiddin’s position and the Perikatan Nasional government had to be prepared in view that there were efforts by certain parties trying to deny an earlier statement where 40 Barisan MPs pledged their support towards Muhyiddin.

“The meeting started with a dinner before the 30 Barisan MPs who were there agreed to sign a declaration letter to defend Muhyiddin and the Perikatan government.

“The meeting was also chaired by Arau MP (Shahidan) with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob giving an opening speech.

“The remaining 10 Barisan MPs who had previously declared their support could not attend as the meeting's notice was only given to them at the last minute.

“But, all of them have pledged to sign the declaration letter through a representative,” the source told Sinar Harian.

On Sunday (Aug 1), Ismail Sabri had stated that a letter issued by BNBBC supporting Muhyiddin is genuine.

Ismail Sabri said he had chaired the meeting of the 40 Barisan MPs at Parliament on Thursday and they issued the statement with the Barisan letterhead as they were indeed from Barisan.

The legitimacy of the statement became an issue after Barisan executive secretary Muhammad Sahfri denied there was such a statement of support for Muhyiddin from Barisan immediately after it was issued.

According to Sinar Harian, the source also refuted allegations that there was another meeting involving Barisan MPs who wanted to change the Prime Minister.

“No there isn’t. I have not heard of it. The meeting tonight (Sunday) was merely to show proof that Barisan MPs supported Muhyiddin through a declaration letter of support.

“That’s all, there are no other movements that want to change the Prime Minister,” he said. - Star