BERA: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob insisted that he is still the candidate for Prime Minister if Barisan Nasional (BN) forms the government after the 15th General Election (GE15).

He explained that there has been no change regarding the decision that the BN made.

"So far, there is no decision from the Supreme Working Council (MKT) that says otherwise.

"The decision for me to be a poster boy for the GE15 was decided by the MKT (and) the UMNO General Assembly (PAU),” he said.

Recently, he added, 156 out of 190 UMNO divisions made a motion to propose a candidate for Prime Minister after the GE15.

"There was no meeting to decide otherwise, meaning what was decided still stands," he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the actions of some UMNO leaders who were disappointed to be dropped and contested on the ticket of opposition party, Ismail Sabri said he understood the situation his friends were going through.

However, Ismail Sabri said, every leader should return to help the party in the GE15 despite being disappointed.

"I mentioned that being dissatisfied and disappointed cannot be blamed on anyone.

“Anyone who is dropped will feel disappointed but after two or three days, they should come back to support whoever is contesting because the common goal is to ensure that BN wins.

"The important thing is not the individual but the party as they are contesting on the party's symbol.

“In Bera, the one who is contesting is not Ismail Sabri but BN. If that principle is adhered to, we will finally return to the party and make sure the party wins in the GE," he added.