JOHOR BARU – The prime minister’s senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has demanded a portal to correct a news article over its “misleading” claims.
In a statement today, Shamsul said that the article linked an individual named Zaki Yamani to him.
Zaki had earlier made headlines after he uploaded a tweet deemed disrespectful by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after he prayed for PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s demise.
The Marang MP, who is currently hospitalised, was earlier placed in a coronary care unit before being moved to a normal ward after his condition had shown some improvement.
Anwar has since demanded Zaki to apologise for his posting.
“I strongly object to and am displeased with Zaki Yamani’s disrespectful tweet, and I want him to apologise immediately,” he wrote on Twitter.
In its article, MalaysiaNow had reported that Zaki was also an aide to Shamsul.
Zaki later took to Twitter to deny being a political secretary to any aide of the prime minister.
Shamsul said that although Zaki had served as the secretary of Angkatan Muda Keadilan, PKR’s Youth wing, when Shamsul was its leader in 2007, it is irrelevant to current times.
“It brings no meaning or relation to what is happening in the present,” he said.
“Thus, the allegation is unfair and without clear basis.”
The former Hang Tuah Jaya MP also mentioned that he has contacted Hadi’s family on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office after receiving news of his ill health.
He added that Anwar has prayed for Hadi’s recovery and expressed hope that he would be able to visit the PAS president once he is in stable condition.
Earlier today, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah had said that Hadi is currently in stable condition.
Amar added that Hadi is still receiving treatment and needs to be under observation. Hadi is also not allowed to have any visitors at present.
Hadi’s son Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi yesterday asked the public to pray for his father, whose health had deteriorated before Hari Raya Aidiladha on Thursday. – The Vibes, July 2, 2023