KUALA LUMPUR – An audio clip of a phone conversation purportedly featuring former Umno Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on the current political crisis in the state is making the rounds.
The recording was sent anonymously by an individual with the email address [email protected] to the media this evening, ostensibly to shed light on the events that led to the recent collapse of the Melaka state government.
In the eight-minute clip, a voice resembling Idris’ is heard telling Ismail Sabri why he withdrew support for former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
In the clip, Idris tells Ismail Sabri that Umno will not receive widespread support in Melaka for the upcoming elections due to a “lack of leadership” and policies that only favour Malays.
Idris also says in the clip that Sulaiman is “subservient” to Melaka Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
“Sulaiman is not okay. He is subservient to Rauf. He follows (Rauf) and he does not have the leadership skills. He is stern. He is not like you,” Idris apparently told Ismail Sabri.
“You know the most unpopular policy in Melaka, Mael (Ismail)? As a prime minister you will regret hearing this ‘no bin’ policy. This means any applications from Indians or Chinese (contractors) will be rejected outright."
The caller also said that he had reminded Sulaiman that the latter was not only the chief minister for the Malays but a leader for all races.
Meanwhile, in response to the situation, Idris told The Vibes that he was not the individual in the recording.
“There was no (such) call,” he said briefly.
On October 5, Melaka speaker Rauf said Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam decided to dissolve the state assembly after Idris (Sg Udang-BN) and three other assemblymen pulled their support for the chief minister.
The three other reps are Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-independent), and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-Bersatu).
According to Bernama on Monday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the party’s Supreme Council will meet on Thursday to discuss the state’s political crisis.
The opposition had called via PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin on Thursday evening for Ali to retract the dissolution instead of holding a state election or declaring an emergency in the state.
The call came after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for polls to be held to return the mandate to the people of Melaka.
Meanwhile, another audio clip purportedly of Norhizam and Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis (Rembia-BN), was also sent to the media.
In the phone call, Jailani is apparently heard advising Norhizam to file a police report to defend himself from any allegations of going against the historic memorandum of understanding signed by Ismail Sabri and the opposition to cool the political temperature in the country. – The Vibes, October 11, 2021
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