Khairy denies supporting Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has denied that he is one of the MPs who support PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister.

The statement was made during an interview in the Breakfast Grill program on Bfm radio station.

Khairy's name was among 19 UMNO MPs listed in a viral message through the WhatsApp application.

The message claimed that all of them supported Anwar to become Prime Minister.

The message spread after Anwar held a press conference on September 23 claiming that he had enough support to form a government.

Khairy's name was mentioned based on media reports supporting another UMNO camp that was divided into two, with the other led by Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Tengku Razaleigh was also among the individuals called to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last Monday as soon as PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did the same.

A source told Astro Awani, the biggest Malay party was now split into two, with Tengku Razaleigh believed to be opposing a move by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The source added that the movement led by Tengku Razaleigh received support from several influential UMNO leaders such as deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan; Sembrong MP, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Rembau MP, Khairy.

So far, party leaders including UMNO president Zahid, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu were also expected to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) ends.

In fact, sources close to Tengku Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir confirmed that there were efforts and consultations to form a collaboration between the two political veterans.