Ismail Sabri claims 31 BN MPs backing PN, but some overlap with Zahid's allies
Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has claimed that 31 BN MPs are backing the Perikatan Nasional government and want its legitimacy tested when Parliament convenes in September.
However, his list includes at least three individuals who were part of the group with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that announced it had withdrawn support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and PN.
Ismail announced the list of 31 during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning.
Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has claimed that 31 BN MPs are backing the Perikatan Nasional government and want its legitimacy tested when Parliament convenes in September.
However, his list includes at least three individuals who were part of the group with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that announced it had withdrawn support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and PN.
Ismail announced the list of 31 during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning.
Those present were:
- Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera)
- Mastura Yazid (Kuala Kangsar)
- Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap)
- Mohd Shahar Abdullah (Paya Besar)
- Halimah Saddique (Kota Tinggi)
- Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu)
- Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas)
- Mohd Salim Sharif (Jempol)
- Annuar Musa (Ketereh)
- Ismail Mohamed Said (Kuala Krau)
- Hassan Arifin (Rompin)
- Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis)
- Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak),
- Idris Jusoh (Besut)
- Shahidan Kassim (Arau)
- Ismail Abd Muttalib (Maran)
- Wee Ka Siong (MCA- Ayer Hitam)
- M Saravanan (MIC-Tapah)
Ismail also claimed that several others who were not present also backed the PN government, namely:
- Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau)
- Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Kepala Batas)
- Dr Adham Baba (Tenggara)
- Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS-Pensiangan)
- Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong)
- Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis)
- Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar)
- Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (Putrajaya)
- Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin)
- Wee Jeck Seng (MCA- Tanjung Piai)
Of those absent, Khairy and Adham were said to be attending meetings on the Covid-19 response, while Reezal was in Tokyo for the Olympics, and Hishammuddin was attending an Asean meet.
However, he also cited the names of three individuals who appeared with Zahid.
- Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit)
- Noh Omar (Tanjong Karang)
- Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling)
The three MPs were seen with Zahid on Tuesday when he announced that Umno was withdrawing its support for Muhyiddin's government. It is unclear as to whether or not Ismail's list of MPs is up to date.
Meanwhile, Ismail said he could not get in touch with Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin, while Parit Sulong MP Noraini Ahmad has reportedly turned her phone off.
The numbers game is being played amid attempts by Zahid to unseat Muhyiddin by showing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that the prime minister no longer commands majority support.
At a press conference on Tuesday, he showcased 11 MPs who withdrew support from PN and Muhyiddin, namely:
- Najib Abdul Razak (Pekan)
- Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang)
- Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk)
- Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Jerantut)
- Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang)
- Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Gua Musang)
- Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands)
- Ahmad Maslan (Pontian)
- Mohd Nizar
- Noh
- Azeez
Besides that, Lenggong MP Shamsul Annuar Nasarah had also quit as energy and natural resources minister, citing loyalty to Umno.
Zahid on Wednesday said more names of defectors had been submitted to the king.
However, Ismail argued that since the Agong had assented to a vote of confidence in September, the palace would not entertain statutory declarations or support letters.
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