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| UMNO- BN MP's |
2/8/2021
KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 30 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs are understood to have signed a declaration letter in support of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to remain as Prime Minister in a secret meeting at Wisma Perwira, Ministry of Defense Sunday night.
Sources from BN MPs said the secret meeting was held from 9pm and was chaired by the Chairman of the PN Back Benchers Club (PNBBC), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
According to the source, the declaration letter defending Muhyiddin's position and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government had to be prepared by them as there were claims by certain parties that said PN does not have the support of the 40 BN MPs .
"The meeting began with a dinner before the 30 BN MPs present agreed to sign a declaration letter defending Muhyiddin and the PN government.
"The meeting was also chaired by the Member of Parliament for Arau (Shahidan) while Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave a welcome speech.
"The remaining 10 BN MPs who expressed support before could not attend because the notice of the confidential meeting was given to them at the last minute.
"However, all of them are guaranteed to sign the letter through a nominated representative," a source from the BN MP told Sinar Harian on Sunday night.
Earlier, Ismail Sabri in a statement confirmed the contents of the letter which said that 40 BN MPs remained in support of the PN government and Muhyiddin as Prime Minister and it was authentic
Ismail Sabri's explanation was made after BN Executive Secretary, Mohamad Sahfri Ab Aziz denied that the coalition issued such a statement apart from explaining that the matter was an issue due to the use of BN letterheads.
Earlier, Padang Rengas Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz revealed that 40 BN MPs who support the permanent PN government include former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak; UMNO Secretary General, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Machang Member of Parliament, Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob.
Meanwhile, the source rejected the allegation that there was another meeting involving the party's MPs to create a movement to change the Prime Minister at the same time, Sunday night.
He explained that the majority of BN MPs have agreed to continue to support the PN government to focus fully on resolving the Covid-19 crisis at this time.
"There is none. I have not heard. The meeting tonight (Sunday night) is just to show evidence of the support of BN MPs to Tan Sri Muhyiddin through a letter of support.
"That's all. No other movement wants to change the PM (Prime Minister)," he said.
Earlier, Sinar Harian received a WhatsApp message from an unknown individual who is believed to have revealed the time and location of the meeting of the BN MPs, as early as 5pm on Sunday.
The individual also shared a short video lasting 1 minute and 21 seconds in which the content criticized the actions of the BN MPs in holding a closed-door meeting in large numbers following non-compliance with the SOP set.
