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FORMER Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has firmly denied recent rumours circulating on social media, suggesting that he, along with 13 other Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament (MPs), had withdrawn their support for the current Unity Government.
Ismail Sabri reaffirmed his full support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership and the government, stating that the claims were baseless and untrue.
“The story has been circulating for a while now, and initially, I chose not to respond because it was not true. However, as it continued through written articles and videos, I felt compelled to address it,” he explained in an interview with Sinar Harian today.
The Bera MP clarified, “It is simply not true that anyone has left UMNO or BN. We remain firmly within the government.”
He expressed his belief that the spread of these rumours was likely driven by malicious intent, aiming to tarnish his image and sow discord within the BN ranks. “I suspect there may be bad intentions behind these allegations, especially targeting me.
“This is an attempt to destroy my reputation, even though I have consistently stated that I am staying with UMNO,” Ismail Sabri said.
“These rumours are also a form of slander designed to divide us and create distrust among BN MPs.”
Ismail Sabri added the continued support of BN MPs for the government, pointing to their actions in backing key legislation.
“When the confidence motion was first introduced, all 30 BN MPs supported it, and every time a bill was brought forward, we supported it wholeheartedly,” he said, stressing that the commitment to the government was evident in their actions.
By addressing the issue publicly, Ismail Sabri hopes to put an end to the unfounded speculation and reaffirm the BN MPs’ ongoing support for the current administration.
Earlier, on March 17, BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Kadir also dismissed similar claims of disunity within the party. He stated that all political developments were within his knowledge and attributed the rumours to the interests of certain parties.
"Any speculation that has arisen is merely a game played by certain individuals with their own agenda," Dr Zambry said.
On a separate note, Ismail Sabri shared that he had not been able to visit Ramadan bazaars or engage with traders as he usually would due to time constraints.
“My health is improving, thank you to the people for their kind comments and well-wishes,” he added, expressing gratitude for the public's support. - March 23, 2025