I’m on team Ismail Sabri as PM, says Nazri

KUALA LUMPUR – Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz is backing Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for prime minister, since Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is likely staring at an exit plan.

The Umno man told The Star that he has urged all party MPs to sign statutory declarations (SDs).

“I have already signed. I think all Umno MPs should support this, including those who are opposed to Muhyiddin. He is gone now, so there is no reason to not sign,” he was quoted as saying.

On August 7, Nazri did not hide his disdain over the actions of several Umno MPs who backed away from an initial agreement to continue supporting the Perikatan Nasional government.

Infuriated by Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s remark, he lashed out at party lawmakers who pulled the plug on the government, describing them as “liars”.

“Please send my message to Najib. The 40 MPs who met that day, we discussed and agreed that we do not mind backing PN, even if we do not support Muhyiddin. That b****** Najib even spoke, and so did Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian MP).

“Now, he (Najib) turned around and is poking fun, saying only 31 MPs are backing PN. That is because he lied.”

The 40 MPs had initially agreed to back PN as they wanted to remain in government, he added.

Nazri’s statement follows intense infighting between Umno factions – one firmly standing behind president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while another comprises MPs holding government positions.

Earlier today, sources told The Vibes that SDs are being signed to support Ismail Sabri as prime minister and Bersatu’s Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as his deputy.

This is all happening at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur hotel following a Bersatu meet this morning, where Muhyiddin reportedly told his cohorts that he will offer his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow morning.

With Muhyiddin’s exit looking likely, the prime minister position is up for grabs, especially when there is no single party with majority support.

The Bersatu-Umno combo will ensure that the former survives the fallout following his resignation. It is also this succession plan that caused its leaders to not see eye to eye.

To offer the top post to Ismail Sabri – the present deputy prime minister – will mean a defeat for Bersatu.

This, despite Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah retaining the powerful home affairs portfolio.

Earlier, it was discussed that Ismail Sabri will be made to agree to keep the deputy prime minister post for Bersatu, and offer the party certain key ministerial positions.

This is because most members are opposed to an Umno 1-2 with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein being named deputy prime minister. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021