Rumour mill in overdrive after Umno ministers' hotel 'breakfast' meet

 

A gathering of Umno ministers at a hotel in Putrajaya this morning has sent the rumour mill into overdrive.

Speculations abound that the ministers were plotting to dissolve Parliament soon, following the government's narrow failure to pass a bill in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Initially, Umno leaders had indicated that they were willing to wait until after the snap polls clause in Putrajaya's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pakatan Harapan expires on July 31.

However, the opposition defeating the bill - which would extend the provision for detention without trial under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) - has changed the script.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa (above) - whose tardiness disqualified him from voting on Wednesday - has accused Harapan of violating the MOU, and that this was grounds for snap polls to be fast-forwarded.

Annuar was among those spotted at the breakfast this morning. Others sighted include ministers Shahidan Kassim, Noraini Ahmad, Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Noh Omar, and Halimah Mohd Saddique.

Just out for breakfast

The ministers in attendance have denied anything nefarious, with Annuar telling the media that they were just having breakfast.

Housing and Local Government Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican

When contacted, Reezal also said the group had gone to the hotel just to have their morning meal after the day's cabinet meeting was delayed.

"The cabinet meeting was supposed to be at 9am, but suddenly it was changed to 10am because the prime minister had to attend the Police Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur.

"So in the meantime, we had breakfast. That's all. After breakfast we just chatted," the housing and local government minister told Malaysiakini.

Reezal denied there was any talk of dissolving Parliament.

Another minister at the breakfast, who spoke to Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, also relayed the same story.

Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid denied such talks as well when contacted by Berita Harian. - Mkini