KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz denied being the person behind a series of WhatsApp messages sent to opposition MPs, luring them to join the government.
The Padang Rengas MP told The Vibes that he is being framed by irresponsible parties who attempt to tarnish his name, following his support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“It is fake. The person uses my photo, acts as me, calling and messaging these MPs, even asking them out for tea.
“Someone is misusing (my photo). It is not my number. These people have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves. They are crooks,” a furious Nazri said when contacted today.
Several DAP MPs had earlier posted on social media claiming to have received WhatsApp messages enticing them with promise of rewards to join the government. The texts were sent by unknown numbers.
They claimed that they were offered money and ministerial positions, after two Umno ministers resigned following the party’s withdrawal of support for the Perikatan Nasional government.
Among the lawmakers contacted are Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii and Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong.
Dr Yii said he believes that more MPs have also been approached, including Ipoh Timur’s Wong Kah Woh and Kulai’s Teo Nie Ching – all of whom are DAP lawmakers.
A check by The Vibes found that one of the numbers used an image of Nazri as its profile picture.
Nazri said the unidentified numbers have been sending messages to opposition MPs for a few days now, adding that he lodged a report on the matter two days ago.
He does not rule out that this is the doing of Umno members aligned with party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“What Muhyiddin said is true, there are those trying their best to do anything in their power to stop their court cases, including Baling, Bagan Datuk, Pekan and Pontian.”
This is in reference to Umno MPs representing the constituencies, namely Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Zahid, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datuk Ahmad Maslan – who are all facing multiple graft charges. – The Vibes, August 7, 2021
