Ismail denies involvement in plot to oust Zahid

 

Ismail Sabri Yaakob with his family members while on holiday in the UAE between Dec 22 and Jan 3. (Ismail Sabri Yaakob pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has denied claims he is involved in a plot to oust party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

This comes after a blogger alleged that two Umno vice-presidents were part of a group of leaders who met in London in the past couple of weeks to plot Zahid’s downfall.

Though the blogger did not name anyone, some social media users were quick to point fingers at Ismail, the former prime minister, and another vice-president Mahdzir Khalid.

Both Ismail and Mahdzir are not part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet, while another vice-president Khaled Nordin is higher education minister.

Ismail said insinuations that he was involved in the plot, nicknamed the “London Move”, were aimed at tarnishing his reputation in Umno.

“I strongly deny it (claims of involvement in the plot). These are malicious lies,” he said, adding he was on holiday with his family in the United Arab Emirates between Dec 22 and Jan 3.

“I have not said much since the general election, I’ve not said anything about Umno or the government. And the reason for this is to avoid any kind of speculation or slander,” he told FMT.

Last November, Ismail denied holding discussions with several Barisan Nasional and PAS leaders at the Tropicana Golf & Country Resort.

At the time, he said he was only meeting friends who served in his administration. - FMT