KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional has dissociated itself from a letter claiming that its MPs have expressed support for the Perikatan Nasional government.
In an official statement issued by secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir today, he said he was initially unable to comment on the matter as the veracity of the letter in question could not be confirmed.
No individual has come forward to take ownership of the statement issued yesterday, he said.
“The BN secretary-general’s office is responsible for issuing official statements decided at the supreme council meeting and upon mutual agreement by the top leadership.
“The practice of unity and solidarity among BN MPs in making any joint decision is preserved.
“As such, any measure or action taken by certain parties to raise doubt and disunity within BN is deeply regretted.”
The unverified letter alleged that BN lawmakers have unanimously agreed to support PN as the government of the day and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.
The statement, which bore no signature or letterhead, also claimed that the decision is in line with the Umno Supreme Council’s stance that MPs will be given the freedom to support Muhyiddin should a vote of confidence be tabled in Parliament when it sits for five days starting July 26.
“At the moment, our priority is to ensure the National Recovery Plan agenda is realised, with the confidence that the rakyat are able to return to normalcy, like during pre-pandemic days.”
Several BN MPs have questioned the document’s authenticity, saying they were not aware of it, nor did they approve or sign it.
Pekan MP and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak expressed his bemusement, saying he did not agree to it, and asked if there is a full list of names to which the statement is ascribed.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is also Pontian MP, told the Malay Mail that he was unaware of the letter, and was not contacted on the matter.
However, other BN leaders aligned with Muhyiddin, including Umno’s Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, were reported by other news portals as confirming the letter’s authenticity. – The Vibes, July 9, 2021
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