Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man has denied being involved in an alleged conspiracy by Dr Mahathir Mohamad to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, as claimed by a blogger.

“Neither have I issued any statement that may be regarded as ‘stabbing the prime minister in the back’, as claimed by Yusman Zahari.

“I have always supported the prime minister; in fact, when he was attacked over 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation, I was among the Umno division chiefs who openly and clearly stated that we would defend his leadership.

“Yusman’s bad intention is reflected in the events he related, which never happened, such as accusing Senator Ramli Sharif, whom I selected to be in the Dewan Negara, of being among those who had welcomed Mahathir (in Perlis) on July 28.”

The menteri besar made the comment in a media statement today, in response to the blogger’s post, ‘Pemimpim Umno Perlis Terlibat Salurkan Dana Gerakan Mahathir Jatuhkan Najib’.

Azlan described the blogger’s action as defamatory and ill-intentioned to cause friction between him and the prime minister and to promote a negative perception of him to the people in Perlis.

He said the blogger’s claim that he had never supported the prime minister publicly and had secretly met with Mukhriz Mahathir while the latter was still the Kedah menteri besar, was a lie.

“I challenge Yusman to prove his allegations or duly issue a public apology for his claims, lies and slander.

“If he fails to do so, I will take legal action and sue him to clear my name,” said Azlan, who is also Kangar Umno division chief.

- Bernama