GE15: 'Zahid becoming PM an opposition gameplan' - Ismail Sabri

According to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, they used the tactic to mislead voters even though they knew he was the only leader declared as PM candidate by UMNO and BN.

"They are trying to create confusion (among voters) and of course they also want the BN and UMNO leadership to split.

"They can see that there is no other issue that can be used. As such they use this PM issue," said Ismail in an exclusive interview with FMT.

Ismail Sabri who is also UMNO vice president said the opposition is also using the PM candidate issue in a desperate attempt to sow doubts among voters about BN's ability to create stability - the coalition's main message in the election campaign.

Describing the propaganda being spread as unethical, he said the accusation was also aimed at dividing the leadership of UMNO and BN.

"They (opposing parties) are trying to portray (the possibility) of me not becoming PM (so as) to lower support for BN.

"They may be afraid of me (as) a PM candidate. I think...it can be a strength for me to attract voters (to) BN," he added.

Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional previously claimed that Ahmad Zahid as UMNO president and BN chairman was eyeing the country's highest office despite Ismail Sabri being announced as BN's "poster boy" and PM candidate for GE15.

Ismail Sabri who is also Bera Member of Parliament regrets the opposition's attempt to nullify decisions at various levels in UMNO and BN regarding the prime minister candidate.

"The decision to nominate me as prime minister by BN was decided by the UMNO Supreme Council, the UMNO political bureau, and the UMNO general assembly. In fact, it was welcomed by the component parties (BN)," he said.

"The entire BN leadership, including chairman Zahid, Mohamad Hasan (deputy chairman), and others, clearly said that I am the only candidate for prime minister (BN)," he said.