Azmin told us not to switch parties at dinner meet, recalls Umno MP

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali advised the Umno lawmakers who attended a dinner meeting at his residence last week not to switch camps, according to Gerik MP Hasbullah Osman.

"This is what happened, I still remember Azmin saying 'do not ever jump from your party'. If they want to deny it, ask Azmin.

"We have never once thought about jumping ship,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

Hasbullah (above) denied the meeting, which fueled political rumour mills, was held to seek the economic affairs minister's advice on the Umno MPs' next course of action.

"That is not true, we are Umno members. It just so happens we know Azmin, he told us to bring the application forms (for projects) and invited us to eat at his house, so we went.

"This is a Malay custom, so what is the problem?" he added.

Hasbullah was commenting on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks regarding the meeting.

Last week, the premier said Azmin told him that the Umno lawmakers who met him had “lost” their party and sought advice on whether they should join other parties. 

Following this, 15 Umno MPs issued joint statements to refute the claim. 

Meanwhile, Hasbullah said Mahathir's remarks on the meeting could have been based on his own assumptions in order to cover-up Pakatan Harapan's defeat in the Tanjung Piai by-election.

Responding to a question that his version was different than Mahathir's, he replied: “Who speaks the truth, who speaks lies. This is politics...”

“Perhaps, Tun (Mahathir) has his own calculation, we don't know. He says 'A', but the hidden meaning is 'B'. We don't understand what he is saying.

“Politics is full of games... Tun is good in moving the pieces,” he added.

Hasbullah also said he did not invite Azmin to join Umno but does not know if other Umno lawmakers had extended such an invitation.

“Think of it logically. Why would someone in government jump to the opposition?” he asked.

“We just wanted to send an application for allocations. There are too many people if we want to meet him (Azmin) in Parliament. So he offered to treat us to dinner at his house,” he added.

After the meeting, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamid said he was informed that the meeting was to discuss channeling government projects to the Umno MPs' constituencies.

However, PKR central leadership committee member Kamarudin Jaffar, who was present at the meeting, said the discussion was on the future of the nation, the need for less politicking and more unity, as well as the shared prosperity vision.

Azmin (above), on the other hand, described it as a normal meeting.

Last Thursday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, following his meeting with Mahathir, said the prime minister had taken cognisance of the allegation that certain ministers were abusing their powers and giving out contracts in exchange for political support.

Speculation is rife that Azmin is also vying for the prime minister's post despite an agreement for Mahathir to pass the baton to Anwar.

Therefore, his meeting with the lawmakers led to speculation that it could be related to the power tussle, especially since former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein was also present.

Previously, the Pakatan Harapan secretariat accused Hishammuddin of plotting to form a government without DAP and Amanah. He has denied the allegation. - Mkini