PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob denied claims of him being pressured to intervene in Najib Razak’s appeal at the Federal Court.

“None… none,” he said when asked about a media report which said a special meeting involving the Umno divisional leaders yesterday failed to reach a consensus in urging the prime minister to get involved in Najib’s trial.

When approached by the media after speaking at the closing of the Budget 2023 Consultation held at the Finance Ministry today, the prime minister was also asked about his meeting with a number of Umno leaders at Seri Perdana last night.

Ismail, who is also Umno vice-president, said that at the meeting, he was briefed on the party’s work status as stated by its deputy president, Mohamad Hasan via a statement in Perak.

“The deputy president touched on the Umno divisional meetings, the party’s preparations for the 15th general election and on strengthening the party,” he added.

On the reported calls made by the Umno divisional leaders for the next polls to be held soon, Ismail said he was not aware of this as he was not at the meeting that had taken place at the Umno headquarters in Menara Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

The media had quoted Sungai Besar Umno division head  Md Yunos as saying that the majority of the party’s divisional leaders agreed that the coming general election be held the soonest possible. – Bernama, August 23, 2022.