FOUR more Umno MPs rumoured to be siding with Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government have come forward to deny their involvement.

They are Hasbullah Osman (Gerik), Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (Putrajaya), Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Jerantut) and Hasan Arifin (Rompin).

The four, named in a list of 19 individuals alleged to have pledged their support for Anwar that had gone viral on social media yesterday, said they knew nothing about the opposition leader’s plans.

Hasbullah described those who accused him of defecting and supporting Anwar’s movement as liars.

“It is not right… supporting Anwar means supporting DAP… they are lying as I was not aware of this issue at all, I have not been contacted by any party… (these are) lies from DSAI (Anwar’s) followers,” he said.

Nazlan was also shocked to learn that his name was in the list, as he had never been contacted by anyone to discuss the matter and called it an irresponsible act.

“In fact, I think Anwar’s efforts to form a new government in this current situation is not appropriate because it poses a risk to the country’s economy, while the Covid-19 pandemic has also not ended,” he said.

Hasan, on the other hand, said he only found out his name had made the list when contacted by acquaintances on WhatsApp.

Tengku Adnan, meanwhile, said in a statement that the new government proposed by Anwar is just a pipe dream, and hoped that no one would believe the Port Dickson MP’s claims.

“We in Umno had also decided that ‘no Dr Mahathir, no Anwar and no DAP’, so stop this speculation and we will continue the struggle to care of the people and remain loyal to Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Yesterday, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap), Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang), Idris Jusoh (Besut), Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit), Tajuddin Abd Rahman (Pasir Salak), Noh Omar (Tg Karang), Ahmad Maslan (Pontian), Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan) and Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands) also denied their involvement in the matter. – Bernama, September 25, 2020.