KUALA LUMPUR – Two former Melaka assemblymen have distanced themselves from a leaked audio clip that discusses, among others, the offering of millions of ringgit to support the Umno-led state government.
The recording, purportedly between Umno’s former Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis and independent Pengkalan Batu rep Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, was emailed anonymously to select media organisations yesterday.
When contacted for comment, Jailani shrugged it off as mere “hearsay”, saying he is “not interested to relate to the matter”.
Norhizam, meanwhile, said he has yet to listen to the recording and, as such, will reserve comment.
When The Vibes offered to send him a copy of the recording, Norhizam said: “It’s okay, I will wait first. Once I get the recording, then I will give my comment.”
The Vibes has also reached out to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh for comments, as both names were mentioned in the clip.
The exact date of when the purported conversation took place is not known, but it is understood to be after Norhizam and three other assemblymen withdrew their support for Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, causing the collapse of the state government.
In the recording, the person alleged to be Jailani had told the other individual on the line, whose voice resembles Norhizam’s, that he will be taking the latter to Zahid’s house “tomorrow” to discuss the Melaka crisis.
“Jailani”, who appears to be acting as the middleman, said before heading there, he will make a quick stop at another unidentified location to wait “for something”.
“I can’t guarantee anything until I see that item with my own eyes. The next day, inshaAllah there will be good news for you.”
Later in the conversation, “Norhizam” asked “Jailani” what he was talking about during his recent meeting with Rauf, to which he said discussions were focused on the former’s withdrawal of support for the state leadership.
“Jailani” added that Rauf did not anticipate that “Norhizam” would pull the plug on the chief minister.
“I asked him, ‘what happened to your promise? You have made a promise, you should deliver’. He (Rauf) said he has fulfilled (the promise). I asked him how much, and he said ‘two’.”
The other person then asked what he meant by “two”, to which the Umno member said: “Two M lah.”
“Norhizam” denied receiving any money, before “Jailani” replied: “I don’t know. But I told him (Rauf) that although he said ‘two’, he had promised ‘five’.”
To this, “Norhizam” said he does not want to quarrel over the issue and asked what else was discussed during the meeting with Rauf.
The voice resembling Jailani’s then said: “He said tomorrow he will do it. You just come tomorrow to collect the item. Okay can? You don’t force me to say things I can’t guarantee, but I can guarantee there will be something tomorrow.”
Yesterday, The Vibes had reported on another leaked recording, purportedly between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and sacked Umno Melaka rep Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
In the conversation, a voice resembling Idris’ is heard telling Ismail Sabri that Umno will not receive widespread support in Melaka for the upcoming state election due to a “lack of leadership” and policies introduced by Sulaiman that only favour Malays.
“Idris” also said in the clip that Sulaiman is “subservient” to Rauf, who was the state speaker. – The Vibes, October 12, 2021
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