Four more Umno MPs deny supporting Anwar

 

Four more Umno MPs who were previously rumoured to be siding with PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government have come forward to deny their involvement.

They are Gerik MP Hasbullah Osman (above), Tengku Adnan Mansor (Putrajaya), Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Jerantut) and Hasan Arifin (Rompin).

The four, just like other Umno MPs who were part of a list of 19 individuals alleged to have pledged their support for Anwar which had gone viral on social media since yesterday, claimed that they knew nothing about the opposition leader's plans.

Hasbullah, when contacted by Bernama, described those who accused him of defecting and supporting Anwar's movement as liars.

"It is not right... supporting Anwar means supporting DAP.

"They are lying as I was not aware of this issue at all, I have not been contacted by any party... (these are) lies from Anwar's followers," he said.

Ahmad Nazlan Idris

Ahmad Nazlan was also shocked to learn that his name was listed, as he had never been contacted by anyone to discuss the matter and considered it an irresponsible act.

"In fact, I think Anwar's efforts to form a new government in this current situation is not appropriate because it poses a risk to the country's economy, while the Covid-19 pandemic has also not ended," he said.

Hasan stated that he only found out his name was on the list when contacted by acquaintances over the matter on WhatsApp.

Tengku Adnan, meanwhile, said in a statement that the new government proposed by Anwar was just a pipe dream, and hoped that no one would believe the Port Dickson MP's claims.

"We in Umno had also decided 'no (former premier Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad), no Anwar and no DAP', so stop this speculation and we will continue the struggle to care for the people and remain loyal to BN," he said.

Tengku Adnan Mansor

Yesterday, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap), Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang), Idris Jusoh (Besut), Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit), Tajuddin Abd Rahman (Pasir Salak), Noh Omar (Tanjong Karang), Ahmad Maslan (Pontian), Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan) dan Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands) also denied their involvement in the matter.

- Bernama