Claims of Hishammuddin the mastermind of 'Sheraton Move' inaccurate - Khairudin Abu Hasan

KUALA LUMPUR: A loyal supporter of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan has denied allegations that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was involved in the 'Sheraton Move' to bring down the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

However, Khairuddin stressed that linking Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as the ‘brains’ behind the Sheraton move was a clear fact.

"Actually, YB Liew Chin Tong's statement is a bit inaccurate but touching on the involvement of Azmin Ali and Hamzah Zainuddin as the main planners of the Sheraton move is a real fact.

"The current Foreign Minister is not in the picture at all at the time of the planning," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

The former Amanah candidate in the Jasin Parliamentary constituency explained that Hishammuddin was loyal to UMNO and careful in every political manouvre.

Strengthening his argument, Khairuddin explained that Hishammuddin was a politician who was difficult to influence in his political movement.

Recalling the time during the PH administration, Khairuddin said that he was in touch with many political leaders and knew what was happening.

"However, there is no denying that Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has his own strength because there are about 24 UMNO MPs who support him until now. This is strictly our opinion," he added.

Khairuddin also explained that during the PH administration, he had met Hishammuddin to find a consensus formula in the country's political landscape.

"But at that time Hishammuddin remained steadfast with his stance to focus only on implementing the agenda to strengthen UMNO.

"On other issues, Hishammuddin does not want to be directly or indirectly involved.

"YB Liew Chin Tong's statement is probably based on his personal perception," he added.