UPDATED 4.49PM | BN acting chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (above) has denied any knowledge of Sarawak's ruling party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leaving BN.

He further denied a media report which stated he had met with state Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and pleaded with the latter to reconsider.

"In fact, I respect and welcome any move by PBB and Sarawak BN component parties to build a good relationship between them and the federal government.

"BN is always welcoming and open-minded in encouraging state governments under BN to take such steps for the betterment of the state and rakyat," he said in a statement today.

He added that he hoped his statement would put an end to any "wild accusations and unprofessional reports".

He was referring to a report by The Malaysian Insight this morning, which quoted sources as saying Abang Johari had conveyed his decision to leave BN to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a meeting at the end of last month.

It was further reported that Ahmad Zahid had pleaded with him (Abang Johari) to reconsider the move as BN would be "destroyed" should PBB, the second largest BN component party, quit the coalition.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, PBB secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi also denied any knowledge of PBB's purported withdrawal.

He said a meeting among state BN parties would be held on June 12.